Lowest totals recorded by a team in a Test match this century
Despite the inception of the shorter formats in the game of cricket, the essence of Test cricket is still intact. The longest format of the game brings with it the element of surprise with every game and it amazes everyone with different stats, different numbers in almost every innings and every day. In Tests, putting a score of 350+ or 400+ on the board is considered normal. However, teams have crumbled on many below-par scores. Let’s take a look at five of the lowest Test match totals registered by a team in the 21st century.
Zimbabwe 194 v New Zealand, Napier, 2012
Zimbabwe is the only team to register itself in this list for the third time. While playing a Test match against New Zealand on January 26, 2012 at McLean Park, Napier, Zimbabwe could post only 51 and 143 runs in first and second innings of the Test match respectively. However, batting first, Kiwis had declared their first innings after scoring 497 runs. As a result, Zimbabwe lost the match by an innings and 30 runs after scoring a total of 194 runs in both their innings.
Bangladesh 187 v West Indies, Antigua, 2018
Bangladesh registered one such unwanted record as they were bundled out for a mere 43 on the first day of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua on July 4, 2018. It is the 10th lowest score in Test cricket history and the 3rd lowest in the first innings of a Test match. In reply to the 406 posted by Windies, Bangladesh got all-out at 144 in the second innings, thereby registering a total of 187 runs in both the innings and losing by an innings and 219 runs.
Zimbabwe 189 v South Africa, Port Elizabeth, 2017
The first ever four-day Test has ended in just two days (five sessions in fact).
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 120 runs.
South Africa 309-7 dec
Zimbabwe 68 all out and 121 all out. pic.twitter.com/zxouzrmd2x— Spreadex Sports (@SpreadexSport) December 27, 2017
rec
The Zimbabwe Test team toured South Africa for a Test match at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on December 26, 2017. The Graeme Cremer-led side was chasing a target of 309 posted by South Africa on the board when they got all-out at 68 in the first innings. Conceding a follow-on, the team again couldn’t score more than 121 runs and lost the match by an innings and 120 runs.
Zimbabwe 158 v New Zealand, Harare, 2005
New Zealand and Zimbabwe were involved in a Test match on August 7, 2005, at Harare Sports Club. Batting first, Kiwis racked up a total of 452 on the board in the first innings. Chasing this mammoth target, Zimbabwe could make only 59 runs and in the follow-on they crumbled for 99 runs. Thus, Zimbabwe rank second in the charts of lowest Test total by a team in the Test innings with 158 runs. New Zealand comfortably registered a victory in that fixture by an innings and 294 runs.
Pakistan 112 v Australia, Sharjah, 2002
Just Pakistan things…..59 all out ??♂️
Ont this day in 2002….Pakistan batted first in Sharjah against Australia, all out 59, dismissed in 31 overs. The next day all out 53, dismissed in 24 overs. The match finished well inside 2 days.
Here’s the 59 all out, on this day….. pic.twitter.com/dFLqopqWA5
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) October 11, 2020
In 2012, Pakistan hosted Australia for a three-match Test series. Pakistan not only lost the Test series by 3-0, but also registered the lowest match total in the 21st century till date. In the second Test on October 11, 2002 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Men in Green got all-out on 59 runs in mere 31.5 overs. Chasing this paltry total, Australia made 310 runs in its first innings. Pakistan’s batting unit failed again in the second innings as they could make only 53 runs. This resulted in Australia winning the match by a record 198 runs and an innings as Pakistan’s total score of two innings was just 112 runs.
