Top 9 teams who have got all out under 50 most times in test cricket

New Zealand hold the record for the lowest total in test cricket history.

Test cricket remains one of the most gripping sports in the world. In fact, there’s quite nothing as unique as test cricket. Apart from being the only sport that can stretch for five days, it heavily depends on the conditions that vary from country to country.

Batting in test cricket can sometimes be a breeze but is often challenging, depending on the pitch and the potency of the bowling attack.

There have been phases in test cricket where scores of 400 were the norm, but since the ICC World Test Championship era began, teams have been preparing bowling-friendly surfaces, which have made batting perhaps the most difficult it has been in the history of test cricket.

A combination of a bowling-friendly pitch and a strong bowling attack has led to plenty of scores below 100 in test cricket. There have been over a dozen scores lower than 50 as well. In this article, we will look at the teams who have been dismissed for less than 50 the most times in test cricket.

Top nine teams who have got all out under 50 most times in test cricket:

9. Ireland – 1

Ireland made their test debut in 2018 and have played only a handful of tests so far. They haven’t had much to celebrate.

Ireland have been dismissed for less than 50 once. It happened when they met England at Lord’s in 2019. Chasing a target of 182, Ireland were bowled out for only 38 as Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes shared all 10 Irish wickets.

8. Bangladesh – 1

It is indeed surprising that Bangladesh, one of the weaker test nations, have been dismissed for less than 50 only once even though they’ve been playing test cricket for over two decades.

Against West Indies in North Sound in 2018, Bangladesh were bowled out for 43 in the first innings with Kemar Roach bagging a five-for. They lost the test by an innings.

7. West Indies – 1

Once a powerhouse in test cricket, West Indies have lost their fear factor in the 21st century. One of their worst days in test cricket came when they were bowled out for only 47 runs, their lowest test team total, against England in Kingston in 2004.

In West Indies’ second innings, pacer Steve Harmison ran riot with a seven-wicket haul in 12.3 overs. England won the match by 10 wickets.

6. Pakistan – 1

Pakistan have been dismissed for less than 50 only once in test cricket. This happened against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2013.

In reply to South Africa’s 253, Pakistan were knocked out for only 49 runs as Dale Steyn took a mind-blowing 6/8. The visitors lost the test by 211 runs.

5. England – 2

The inventors of cricket, England have been knocked out twice for less than 50 in test cricket, which is still an impressive feat given they have been playing for 147 years.

England were dismissed for 45 against Australia in Sydney in 1887 and for 46 against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1994. While they did lose to West Indies, England managed a 13-run win over Australia in the above-mentioned tests.

4. India – 3

Home to some of the greatest test batsmen ever, India have been bundled for less than 50 thrice in their test history. The first such instance was in 1974 at Lord’s against England, where India managed only 42 runs in their second innings and lost the game by an innings.

The next two instances of this happened in the 21st century: against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, India were bowled out for 36 runs (lost 9 wickets with one man injured) in their second innings, and against New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2024, where the Kiwi pacers allowed India to score merely 46 runs.

3. Australia – 4

Even the most successful cricket team in history, Australia, have suffered a few crushing batting performances. They have been dismissed four times under the score of 50; three of these scores were in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Australia’s lowest score in test cricket is 36, which they made against England in Birmingham in 1902, followed by 42 against the same opposition in Sydney in 1888, and 44, also against England, in 1896 at The Oval.

Then in 2011 against South Africa in Cape Town, the Aussies were bowled out for 47 runs.

2. New Zealand – 4

New Zealand have managed four scores of less than 50 in their test history. New Zealand hold the record for the lowest total in test cricket – 26, which came against England in Auckland in 1955.

Their other three scores under 50 are: 42 vs Australia, Wellington, 1946; 45 vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2013; and 47 vs England, Lord’s, 1958.

1. South Africa – 7

South Africa hold the record of being all out for under 50 the most number of times in test cricket – 7.

South Africa have twice been dismissed for 30 runs – vs England, Gqeberha, 1896 and against England, Birmingham, 1924.

Their other totals under 50 are: 35 vs England, Cape Town, 1899; 36 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1932; 43 vs England, Cape Town, 1889; 45 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1932; and 47 vs England, Cape Town, 1889.

(All stats updated till 17th October, 2024.)

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