The black caps were the 5th nation to gain test status in 1930 but remained to win a match till then. It was a proper 5-day test match in Auckland March 1955 unlike the 3-day tests of the previous era. In fact, this is the only score that can be accounted for under modern cricket. This performance speaks for the dominance of English bowling after the bodyline controversy. New Zealand | 26 runs Source: News18 lowest score in test The credit goes to a spectacular performance by the English great, George Lohmann who scalped 8 wickets on just 7 runs in his 9.4 overs. South Africa was bowled out for 30 runs in 18.4 overs while chasing a target of 319 runs. This led to such disappointing performances in the early years. South Africa was clearly the weaker team in the 3 test nations. Looks like South Africa was the third friend in every trio (England, Australia and South Africa) who is made fun off every time in inside jokes. South Africa | 30 runs Source: sports show lowest score in test Although South Africa fought back with a mighty 390 after receiving a follow on, they lost the game by an innings and 18 runs. The pitch literally had nothing compared to the nature of success their bowlers achieved. In reply, South Africa tumbled for just 30 runs in 12.3 overs.Įven English players were shocked by their achievement. England posted a giant total of 438 to finish the first innings. Top 4 of the English batting order scored half-century along with a fair contribution from the following batsmen. South Africa opted to field first after winning the toss and followed was one of the most dominant batting performances of the era. The Proteas were touring England to begin the season and it was the first test of the 5-match series. Source: Mullock’s Auction lowest score in the testīy June 1924, South Africa was a better team than before with the likes of players like Dudley Nourse, Claude Carter, and Herbie Taylor. None of the South African batsman apart from the openers managed to score even 5 runs individually. But England replied back with authority, scoring 330 in the following innings, posting a target of 246 in front of the Proteas.Įnglish bowlers finished the job early by bowling out the Proteas in just 35 runs. South Africa did a great job in bowling, restricting the English to a first innings score of just 92 runs.Īlso, South African batsman JH Sinclair batted brilliantly, single-handedly driving the South African score up to 177. After losing the first match, it was a must-win game for the hosts at Capetown.
England visited South Africa for a 2-match series at the turn of the century in April 1899. This was 10 years after South Africa became only the third nation to gain test status. South Africa | 35 runs Source: ICC lowest score in test But we chose the above as Australia scored a run more in the second innings, with a marginal better run-rate. Australia put up the whitewashed cup in their shelf and South Africa tried to move on from the nightmare.įactually it is a tie at number 5 at the 36-run score, with Australia scoring the same against England in 1902. This also followed a failure in the third innings, losing the match by an innings and 72 runs after getting bowled out for 45 runs. They collapsed at a mere total of 36 runs in the first innings after opting to bat first. The visitors posted their worst performance in the last match at the MCG. South Africa failed miserably in the series, losing all the 5 matches to the hosts. Cricket was on its way up in the new nation and the Aussies hosted the Proteas for a 5-match test series. This dates back to, when South Africa was coming off the abolishment of last British powers in the country.
For the core cricket fans out there, here are the 5 lowest scores of all-time in test cricket, evidently each one being from the early days, which will help you assess the evolution of the sport. The lethal pitches and bowling attack from the early years of cricket is a rare sight in the current era. Though bowling remains an integral part of the game, the focus has shifted from wicket-taking to economical spells. The batsman is now more fearless than ever, and the pitches seem to support the same.
With the introduction of the short t-20 format, the game is now becoming faster, and high scoring by the day.