Lowest Team Score in Test Cricket

Lowest Test Score by a Team! 

New Zealand bowled out for 26 against England on 25 March 1955. This record is the lowest score by a team. New Zealand won the match by an innings and 20 runs. 

West Indies all out for 27 at #GROUND2# against Australia on 13 July 2025. West Indies won by 176 runs. It's the 2nd-lowest team score in a test. 

South Africa was bowled out for 30 against England on 13 February 1896, at #GROUND3#. England won the match by 288 runs. 

South Africa all out for 30 against England at #GROUND4# on 13 February 1896. The English team won the match by an innings and 18 runs. Keep following Sports Yaari to watch more about the lowest team score in Test stats.

Lowest Team Score in Test Cricket

Test cricket is known for huge scores and great centuries, but it also has some shameful moments when great teams collapsed. The lowest test score by team in cricket is not just a sign of a bad day, but it is a symbol of the uncertainty of the game and the helplessness of the batsmen in the face of difficult conditions. When an entire team struggles to cross the double-digit mark, that moment is forever etched as a 'nightmare’ in the cricketing books.

What is the Lowest Team Score in Test Cricket? 

The batting ability in Test cricket is considered a true test of patience and technique, but even the world's strongest teams have often struggled against the opposition's attack.

New Zealand – 26 runs

This match, played against England in March 1955, is considered a dark day in Test cricket history. New Zealand were bowled out for just 26 runs in their second innings in Auckland. This remains the lowest total in Test history. England won the match by an innings and 20 runs.

West Indies – 27 runs

This is a recent record where the West Indies team crumbled against a strong Australian bowling attack, scoring just 27 runs. Australia has maintained its dominance in this match played in Kingston in July 2025, winning the match by a huge margin of 176 runs. It was a very disappointing performance for the Caribbean batsmen.

South Africa – 30 runs

England dominated South Africa in Port Elizabeth in February 1896. The South African team managed only 30 runs, which is the lowest score in test by a team against England's lethal bowling. George Lohmann bowled incredibly well in that match. As a result, England won the match by a massive 288 runs.

South Africa – 30 runs

History repeated itself when the South African team toured England in June 1924. The South African innings collapsed like a house of cards, with the team all out for 30 runs in Birmingham. England completely controlled the match and eventually registered a comprehensive win by an innings and 18 runs.

South Africa – 35 runs

This was another one-sided match between South Africa and England in Cape Town in April 1899; the South African team managed only 35 runs in their innings. The England team was very powerful at that time, and they proved their dominance in the series by winning this match by a huge margin of 210 runs.

Australia – 36 runs

A historic Test match was played between Australia and England in May 1902. In this match, the powerful Australian team collapsed for just 36 runs in front of England's lethal bowling, which is recorded at sixth place in the list of lowest test scores in cricket history. However, the match eventually ended in a draw.

South Africa – 36 runs

South Africa suffered a crushing defeat at Melbourne on February 12, 1932. The Australian bowlers shattered the South African batting and dismissed the entire team for just 36 runs. Australia dominated the match and won by a huge margin of an innings and 72 runs.

Ireland – 38 runs

Ireland were bowled out for just 38 against England in London on 24 July 2019. This total is one of the lowest test team scores. England took advantage of the home conditions and won the match by a huge margin of 143 runs.

Australia – 42 runs

England has completely defeated Australia in the Test match played in Sydney on February 10, 1888. In this match, the Australian team could only score 42 runs in their innings. The England team is known for its accurate and sharp bowling in that era, and it has proved its superiority by winning this match by 126 runs.

New Zealand – 42 runs

On March 29, 1946, New Zealand were bowled out for just 42 runs against Australia in Wellington. This total is listed at tenth position in the test lowest score team list. New Zealand looked helpless in front of Australia's lethal attack and lost the match by an innings and 103 runs.

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