Top 5 lowest totals in ICC World Test Championship history

The ICC World Test Championship began in 2019.

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced in 2019 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide more context to test cricket, which was being said to be “dying.”

Test cricket, though known for its grinding nature, was sometimes seen as boring as there were no direct consequences to losing a game or a series.

Designed to crown the best test team in the world, the WTC format now assigns a heavy price tag to every game, including dead rubbers. With points awarded for victories and draws, every game matters more now. By increasing the intensity of competition between the teams, the ICC WTC has delivered some nail-biting contests.

Batting collapses have been a part of the longstanding test history and the ICC WTC has not been an exception. Since its inception, WTC has delivered several dramatic batting collapses with teams crumbling against top-class bowling attacks under testing conditions.

On that note let’s take a look at the five lowest totals registered in the ICC World Test Championship history.

Five lowest totals in ICC World Test Championship history:

5. South Africa – 55 vs India, 2024, Cape Town

The second test of India’s tour of South Africa in 2024 was historic for many reasons. The game stands as the shortest completed test match in the history of cricket, lasting just 107 overs (642 balls).

South Africa, having won the toss and elected to bat first, were bundled out for just 55 runs. The Indian pace attack, led by Mohammed Siraj, was relentless as they picked up all 10 wickets inside 24 overs. Siraj was India’s brightest star, picking up six wickets for just 15 runs.

The game saw India posting 153 in their first innings, to which South Africa replied with 176 in their second innings. India chased down the target of 80 runs with ease, winning the test on only its second day. Siraj was named Player of the Match for his first innings heroics.

4. Bangladesh – 53 vs South Africa, 2022, Durban

While chasing the target of 274 against South Africa in Durban, Bangladesh were blown away in the first test of the two-match series.

The Bangladesh batting collapse saw them getting outclassed by South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The Bangla Tigers started the game in a bright manner by restricting South Africa to 350 and then replying with 298.

The expectations from Bangladesh in the chase were high as everyone expected the Asian team to put up a good fight on a pitch that was helping the spinners.

In the chase, though, Bangladesh never quite got going as Keshav Maharaj ran through their batting order picking up seven wickets for just 32 runs. He was named Player of the Match for his terrific performance.

3. India – 46 vs New Zealand, 2024, Bengaluru

India suffered a shocking collapse for only 46 runs against New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2024. Winning the toss and batting first on a moist Bengaluru pitch under overcast conditions, the Indian batting lineup was torn apart by the Kiwi pace attack.

The New Zealand pacers – Tim Southee, Matt Henry and William O’Rourke – picked all 10 Indian wickets with Henry registering the fourth fifer of his career. Henry was well supported by O’Rourke, who chipped in with four wickets. The Kiwis eventually won the test by eight wickets.

2. Sri Lanka – 42 vs South Africa, 2024, Durban

In the first test of Sri Lanka’s 2024 tour of South Africa, they were bundled for only 42 runs in their first innings in Durban.

Sri Lanka did well to restrict South Africa to 191 in their first innings but their batsmen couldn’t back up the bowlers’ efforts. Marco Jansen dismantled the Lankan batting line-up, taking seven wickets in only 6.3 overs. Rabada and Coetzee took the other three wickets as Sri Lanka slumped to their lowest total in test history.

1. India – 36 vs Australia, 2020, Adelaide

The lowest total in the ICC World Test Championship history is India’s 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020.

The Indian team were well in control of the test match at the mid point, having gained a small lead in the first innings. However, India’s second innings saw Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dismantling their batting lineup with seam and swing movement.

Showcasing immense discipline with line and length, the duo picked up nine Indian wickets combined to bowl India out for only 36 runs (one batsman got injured during this barrage and retired hurt).

Australia won the test in Adelaide by eight wickets and Tim Paine was named Player of the match for his 73 runs in the first innings and seven catches in the game.

(All stats updated till 29th November, 2024)

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