The ICC World Test Championship has seen some dramatic batting collapses. The top five lowest team scores include shocking performances like India’s 36 all out against Australia in Adelaide and England’s 58 against New Zealand. These matches highlight the unpredictability and intensity of Test cricket at its highest level, where even top teams can crumble under pressure.
Five Lowest Team Totals in ICC World Test Championship History
ICC World Test Championship: Bangladesh – 53 vs South Africa, 2022, Durban
In the first Test of the two-match series in Durban, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 53 runs while chasing 274. Despite a promising start where they restricted South Africa to 350 and scored 298 themselves, the Bangla Tigers crumbled under pressure. South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer dominated the innings, with Maharaj taking seven wickets for only 32 runs and earning Player of the Match honors.
India – 46 vs New Zealand, 2024, Bengaluru
India suffered a stunning collapse for 46 runs in Bengaluru against New Zealand in 2024. Batting first on a moist pitch under cloudy skies, the Indian lineup was dismantled by the Kiwi pace attack. Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O’Rourke combined to take all ten wickets, with Henry grabbing his fourth five-wicket haul. New Zealand went on to win the Test by eight wickets.
ICC World Test Championship: Sri Lanka – 42 vs South Africa, 2024, Durban
During the first Test of Sri Lanka’s 2024 tour to South Africa, they were bundled out for just 42 runs in their first innings. Although they had bowled South Africa out for 191, the Sri Lankan batsmen could not capitalize. South African fast bowler Marco Jansen ran through the lineup with seven wickets in just over six overs. Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee took the remaining wickets, marking Sri Lanka’s lowest Test total ever.
India – 36 vs Australia, 2020, Adelaide
India’s 36 all out against Australia in Adelaide in 2020 was the lowest total in ICC World Test Championship history until the West Indies surpassed it in 2025. After a solid first innings, India’s second innings collapsed under the disciplined bowling of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. The duo combined for nine wickets, exploiting swing and seam movement to bowl India out cheaply. Australia won the Test by eight wickets, with Tim Paine named Player of the Match.
West Indies – 27 vs Australia, 2025, Kingston
The record for the lowest team total in ICC World Test Championship history is held by the West Indies, who were bowled out for just 27 runs against Australia in Kingston in 2025. In the third home Test of the series, the West Indies first conceded 225 runs, then scored 121, and in their second innings, set a target of 204 after bowling Australia out for 143. However, Mitchell Starc tore through the West Indies batting with a rapid five-wicket haul, while Scott Boland took a hat-trick. This devastating bowling effort restricted the hosts to 27 runs, handing Australia a 176-run victory. This is also the second-lowest team total in Test cricket history and the lowest ever by the West Indies.
