Top 10 shortest completed test matches in the history of cricket

The shortest completed test match ended after 107 overs of play.

Test cricket is full of surprises because it gives both batters and bowlers an equal chance to perform and win the game for their team. That is why it is known as the hardest format of the game. Adding to that, the different conditions make a test match more difficult for the teams. The playing conditions in every country are different from one another.

Some places offer seam, swing and bounce, while other offer a great amount of turn, which also effect on the result of the game. In the history of the game, there are a number of test matches that have ended within 3-4 sessions or less. That’s what we will talk here. We will talk about the shortest completed test matches in the history of cricket in terms of overs bowled in the complete match.

List of top 10 shortest completed test matches in the history of cricket (By number of overs bowled):

10. New Zealand vs Australia – 145.2 overs (Wellington, 1946)

One such instance was registered back in 1946 in a test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington. New Zealand batted first and were dismissed for just 42 runs in 42 overs. In reply, Australia managed to score 199/8 in 74 overs and declared the innings, with a lead of 157 runs. In the second innings, New Zealand had another horrible collapse and they were bowled out for 54 runs, handing a win to Australia by an innings and 103 runs. That game ended with 145.2 overs.

9. Australia vs South Africa – 144.2 overs (Gabba, 2022) :

One of the shortest test match in recent times was played at The Gabba between Australia and South Africa in December 2022. This game ended within two days. Batting first, South Africa got all out for 152 runs (48.2 overs). Australia managed to put up a better performance and scored 218 runs in 50.3 overs. Trailing by 66 runs, South Africa displayed a poor batting performance and were all out for 99 in 37.4 overs. Australia needed 34 runs to win but lost four wickets. They ended with a score of 35/4 in 7.5 overs and won the test match. This game ended with 144.2 overs.

8. India vs England – 140.2 overs (Ahmedabad, 2021) :

The shortest test match in India was played between India and England in Ahmedabad in February 2021. None of the team reached 150 -run mark in this match. In reply, to England’s first innings score of 112 (48.4 overs), India scored 145 runs in 53.2 overs. Trailing by 33 runs, England got all out for 81 runs (30.4 overs) in second innings. India took 7.4 overs to score 49 runs and won the game. This game ended in 140.2 overs.

7. England vs South Africa – 135.5 overs (The Oval, 1912)

A test match between England and South Africa at the Oval took place in August 1912 which ended in 135.5 overs. South Africa batted first and got all out for 95 runs (42.3 overs). England replied with a score of 176 runs (56.1 overs). South Africa had similar performance in the second innings, as they were dismissed for 93 runs (32.4 overs). England got a target of 13 runs and they made 14/0 in 4.3 overs and won the test match.

6. South Africa vs England – 198 overs (4 balls per over) (Cape Town, 1889)

Bowling out the opposition below 50 runs in both innings of a test is pretty rare. One such instance occurred in March 1889, when England and South Africa faced each other in Cape Town. England batted once and made 292 runs in 123.1 overs. South Africa were dismissed for 47 runs (47.1 overs) and 43 runs (28.2 overs) and lost by an innings and 202 runs. That game ended in 198 overs. Only four balls per over were used to get bowled Tests played in South Africa in 1889.

5. England vs Australia – 197 overs (4 balls per over) (Lord’s, 1888)

Lord’s cricket ground has seen some incredible games in the history of cricket. The shortest test played at this venue was between England and Australia in July 1888, which ended in 197 overs, where only four balls were used to be bowled at that time in an over in Tests played in England. Australia scored 116 runs (71.2 overs) and 60 runs (29.2 overs) in their two innings. On the other hand, England scored 53 runs (50 overs) and 62 runs (47 overs) and lost the match by 61 runs.

4. England vs Australia – 196 overs (4 balls per over) (Old Trafford, 1888)

The third test of the same series of the previous instance between England and Australia produced another shortest game. This was played at Old Trafford, which ended in 196 overs, where only four balls were used to be bowled in an over in Tests played in England. England batted once and made 172 runs (113.1 overs). In reply, Australia managed 81 runs (52.2 overs) and 70 runs (31.1 overs) and lost by an innings and 21 runs.

3. West Indies vs England – 112 overs (Bridgetown, 1935)

The third shortest game was played between West Indies and England in Bridgetown in January 1935. This game lasted for only 112 overs. It was one of the strangest test matches ever played, which was largely affected by rain. West Indies batted first and made 102 runs in 47 overs. In reply, England declared their innings at 81/7 in 29.3 overs because of the bad behaviour of the pitch. In reply, West Indies batted and declared at 51/6 in 19 overs. England made 75/6 in 16.3 overs in the fourth innings and won the game.

2. Australia vs South Africa – 109.2 overs (Melbourne, 1935)

The shortest test match was recorded between Australia and South Africa at MCG before India and South Africa broke the 89-year-old record in Test cricket. It saw South Africa’s two lowest test scores. Australia batted once and made 153 runs in 54.3 overs. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 36 runs (23.2 overs) and 45 runs (31.3 overs) in their two innings. Australia won that game by an innings and 72 runs, which ended in 109.2 overs.

1. South Africa vs India – 107 overs (Cape Town, 2024)

The shortest game ever to take place in Test cricket was between India and South Africa at Netlands in Cape Town. This was the first test of 2024, which ended in just five sessions. South Africa batted first and were bowled out for the lowest total at home of 55 runs in 23.2 overs. India looked good at one stage, but later lost last six wickets without a run. They managed 153 runs in 34.5 overs. In reply, South Africa got all out for 176 runs in 36.5 overs. India got a target of 79 runs which they chased in 12 overs and won. Overall this game was completed in 107 overs

(All stats updated till 4th January, 2023)

Note: The list includes matches which produced a complete result by a team winning the match.

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