Lowest Team Score in Test Cricket – New Zealand’s 26 All Out & More

The lowest team score in Test cricket is one of the most remarkable Test cricket records in the history of the game. The lowest score in Test cricket is 26 runs, scored by New Zealand against England in 1955. This remains the lowest team total in Test, making it the lowest completed innings and the all-time lowest team score in men’s Test history.

A very low innings score usually comes from a dramatic batting collapse, with bowlers taking advantage of difficult conditions and constant pressure. This article explores the lowest innings total, lowest score in Test history, lowest Test innings, Lowest Team Score, fewest runs in a Test innings, and other important Test match records related to the lowest batting total.

New Zealand’s Record-Low 26

New Zealand’s 26 all out against England at Eden Park, Auckland, on 28 March 1955 remains the New Zealand Lowest Team Score and the lowest total in Test history. In the second Test of the 1954–55 Test series, New Zealand made 200 in their first innings before England replied with 246. Chasing the deficit in the second innings, New Zealand collapsed for just 26 runs in 27 overs, losing all ten wickets.

The record-low innings came through a devastating historic batting collapse, with Bert Sutcliffe top-scoring with only 11. England’s bowling attack was led by Bob Appleyard, who took 4 for 7, while Brian Statham claimed 3 for 9 and Frank Tyson took 2 for 10. England won by an innings defeat and 20 runs, while New Zealand’s 26 became a defining record in Test cricket history.

The only batter to reach double figures was Bert Sutcliffe, who scored 11 runs, highlighting just how severe the collapse was. The rest of the lineup fell cheaply, with several players dismissed for ducks or low single-digit scores. The innings remains a textbook example of how quickly a Test match can unravel under sustained bowling pressure.

West Indies 27 & Other Lowest Team Score Totals

The West Indies 27 all out against Australia at Sabina Park, Kingston, in 2025 is the second-lowest Test score ever recorded. In the West Indies vs Australia Test, the home side managed only 27 runs, producing one of the most dramatic historic Test collapses of the modern era. Only New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1955 is lower.

Other remarkable totals include South Africa 30, Australia 36, India 36, and Ireland 38. Teams have also been dismissed for 42 runs, including Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Bangladesh recorded 43. Pakistan’s 49 is another example of a team being bowled out under 50. These Lowest Team Score demonstrate how quickly a Test batting lineup can collapse when bowlers dominate and conditions become difficult.

There have also been multiple instances of teams being dismissed for around 42 runs, including Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Bangladesh’s 43 all out adds to the list of low totals recorded in challenging conditions. Similarly, Pakistan’s 49 all out stands as another reminder of how quickly an innings can collapse under pressure.

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Batting Collapses & Bowling Dominance

• Batting collapse: A sudden loss of wickets for very few runs, often turning a competitive innings into a disastrous batting performance.
• Top-order collapse: Early wickets fall quickly, leaving the middle and lower order under immediate pressure.
• Lower-order collapse: Once the main batters are dismissed, the remaining players can be bowled out rapidly.
• Bowling dominance: Relentless bowling, accurate lines and lengths, and well-planned wicket-taking spells can completely control an innings.
• Pace attack: Fast bowlers can exploit bounce, movement, and changing conditions to put continuous pressure on batters.
• Swing bowling: Late movement through the air can force batters into mistakes, especially when they struggle to judge the line.
• Seam movement: Movement off the pitch can make defensive shots difficult and create edges or bowled dismissals.
• Hostile bowling conditions: Green pitches, moisture, cloud cover, uneven bounce, or helpful weather can make batting extremely difficult.
• Pressure on batters: When wickets continue to fall, confidence drops and rushed decisions can accelerate a collapse.
• Accurate bowling: Consistent line and length can be just as effective as raw pace, forcing batters to play difficult deliveries repeatedly.

Match Details & Statistical Terms

Term	Meaning
Test match	The longest international cricket format, normally featuring two innings for each team.
Innings	A team’s turn to bat and score runs before the innings ends.
Runs & wickets	Runs determine the Lowest Team Score, while wickets show how many batters have been dismissed.
Overs & balls	An over consists of six legal balls delivered by a bowler.
All out	An innings is normally all out after ten wickets have fallen.
First innings & second innings	Each team normally has a first innings and second innings in a Test match.
Batting innings	The period when a team is actively batting and building its total.
Opposition & venue	The opposition is the other team, while the venue is the ground where the match takes place.
Match date & scorecard	The match date identifies when the game was played, while the scorecard records runs, wickets, overs, dismissals, and other match details.
Run rate / runs per over	Run rate, also called runs per over, measures the average runs scored during an over.
Innings number	Identifies whether a score came during the first, second, third, or fourth innings of a Test.
Team records & statistical records	Categories used to compare notable performances and totals across cricket statistics.
Record books & Test cricket history	Historical records preserve major achievements, including the lowest totals and other significant Test cricket history.

Famous Teams Associated With Lowest Team Scores

• New Zealand cricket team: Holds the lowest Test total of 26 against England in 1955, making it the leading name among the lowest-scoring Test teams.
• West Indies cricket team: Recorded 27 against Australia in 2025, the second-lowest completed innings in Test history.
• South Africa cricket team: Has the most frequent appearances among famous low-scoring teams, including totals of 30, 35 and 36. South Africa have been bowled out below 50 seven times.
• Australia cricket team: Its historic 36 against England in 1902 remains one of the most famous batting collapses in the record books.
• India cricket team: India’s 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020 is one of the most memorable modern historic Test performances involving a dramatic collapse.
• England cricket team: England’s lowest Test total is 45 against Australia, recorded in 1887.
• Ireland cricket team: Ireland were dismissed for 38 against England at Lord’s in 2019, their lowest Test total.
• Sri Lanka cricket team: Sri Lanka’s 42 against South Africa in 2024 is among the lowest totals in Test records.
• Bangladesh cricket team: Bangladesh’s lowest listed Test total is 43 against West Indies in 2018.
• Pakistan cricket team: Pakistan’s 49 against South Africa in 2013 is their lowest completed Test innings.

These teams show how famous batting collapses have occurred across different eras, conditions, and generations of Test cricket.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lowest Team Score

Conclusion

The lowest team score in Test cricket remains New Zealand’s 26 all out against England at Auckland in 1955, making it the answer to the question, which Lowest Team Score in Test cricket and who has the lowest Test score. The lowest score ever in Test cricket and lowest innings score in Test history is still 26, while West Indies’ 27 against Australia in 2025 is the second-lowest score in Test cricket.

These dramatic collapses form some of the top lowest scores in Test cricket, showing how quickly a batting side can fall under pressure. From the lowest team total in cricket history to other famous low scores in Test cricket, these records remain memorable parts of Test cricket history and continue to highlight the unpredictable nature of the longest format.