Lowest Team Scores In Test Cricket History: Over the years, test cricket has witnessed its fair share of dramatic collapses, as teams have been skittled out for outrageously low scores. The West Indies recently achieved the second-lowest team total in Test cricket for the record low, and they joined an exclusive list of infamous collapses with South Africa and New Zealand.
List of lowest team scores in Test cricket, from the lowest to the highest
1. New Zealand – 26 All Out against England (1955, Auckland)
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New Zealand has been bowled out for the lowest total in Test cricket. It happened against England in March 1955. The game was at Eden Park in Auckland when the Kiwis were decimated by the English bowling. England won the game by an innings and 20 runs, and it is the record for the lowest team total in Test cricket history.
2. West Indies – 27 All Out vs Australia (2025, Sabina Park)
The West Indies created unwanted history on July 14, 2025, when they were bowled out for 27 runs by Australia at Sabina Park, Jamaica. A blistering spell of bowling by Mitchell Starc, with six wickets, led the Caribbean side to fall apart on a difficult surface. This is now the second-lowest score in Test cricket and the lowest by the West Indies ever.
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3. South Africa – 30 All Out against England (1896, Gqeberha)
In a classic game at Gqeberha (former Port Elizabeth) in 1896, South Africa experienced a humiliating downfall, being bowled out for 30 when pitted against England. The tourists went on to crush the Proteas by an astronomical 288 runs, with the Proteas posting less than 100 in both their innings. This early indication of English dominance positions South Africa third on the list.
4. South Africa – 30 All Out against England (1924, Edgbaston)
South Africa features on this list once again, this time due to their pathetic 30-run score at Edgbaston, Birmingham, during 1924. Confronting England again, the South African team struggled under seam-friendly conditions and lost the Test by an innings and 18 runs. It is the fourth-lowest team score in Test cricket.
5. South Africa – 35 All Out against England (1899, Cape Town)
South Africa appears for the third time on this list because of another low score, 35 runs against England in 1899 at Newlands, Cape Town. With home advantage, still, the Proteas could not resist the English bowlers and were defeated comprehensively by 210 runs. This is the early dominance of England in Test cricket’s initial years.
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