Test match cricket is frequently linked with resilience, enduring fights, and exceptional runs. Nonetheless, the premier format can also be the most merciless. When conditions are in favor of bowlers and pressure is high, even the strongest sides can fall apart surprisingly. Throughout the years, the game of Test cricket has been a spectator to the unforgettable, in its own way, box office collapses that were often dramatic.

One such occasion took place lately on July 14, 2025, when the West Indies team got out for a mere 27 runs against Australia in Jamaica. This turned out to be not only the second-lowest score in Test history but also the lowest to be registered for more than seven decades, signaling to the fans how heartless Test cricket can sometimes be.

What Is the Lowest Score in Test Cricket?

The lowest Test total ever recorded, which no one wants, still belongs to New Zealand. They were bowled out for just 26 runs by England in 1955 in Auckland. That collapse has stood the test of time and continues to symbolize the harsh realities of the longest format.

Test cricket examines technique, temperament, and endurance. On challenging pitches with disciplined bowling attacks, batting line-ups can fall apart quickly, leading to historically low totals.

Lowest Test Totals: A Look at the Numbers

Over 145 years of Test cricket, only 22 teams have been dismissed for under 50 runs. These collapses span different eras, conditions, and teams—proving that no side is immune. Disasters in batting have been there along with cricket from the very beginning to the present day.

The list of batting disasters has a recent event added in October 2024, which was India being all out for just 46 runs against New Zealand at Bengaluru. A combination of rain-affected conditions, sharp seam bowling, and pressure led to India’s third-lowest Test score ever.

Most Notorious Batting Collapses in Test History

1. New Zealand – 26 vs England (1955)

New Zealand’s lowest-ever total is still the record for Test collapses. Confronting an incredible English onslaught, not even one batter could get into the double digits. The innings was over after only 27 overs, which showed how much New Zealand suffered during their early Test years.

2. West Indies – 27 vs Australia (2025)

This disintegration of the West Indies is a very current and shocking example that surprised the whole cricket world. The mix of Mitchell Starc's annihilating spell and Scott Boland's hat-trick led to the West Indies' batting unit being destroyed and finished in under 15 overs. It marked one of the darkest moments in Caribbean Test history.

3. South Africa – 30 vs England (1896 & 1924)

South Africa appears multiple times on this list. In 1896, George Lohmann produced one of the greatest bowling performances ever. In 1924, South Africa were dismissed in just 12.3 overs—the shortest completed Test innings in history.

4. India – 36 vs Australia (2020)

The global cricket community was taken aback by India's downfall at Adelaide. Although they were in front after the first innings, India lost their last nine wickets during one and a half hours of play. Interestingly enough, they went on to win the series, thus making this collapse a part of an unprecedented comeback story.

5. Ireland – 38 vs England (2019)

Ireland's dream of a historic Test victory at Lord's vanished quickly as the English seamers blew the Irish away in just 16 overs. Still, this collapse meant a lot and was a proud milestone for Irish cricket.

What Causes Such Collapses?

Extreme batting failures are usually caused by a combination of factors:

Difficult pitch conditions

Superb fast bowling

Mental pressure and shifts in momentum

The Uncertainty of Test Cricket's Aesthetic

Low scores might be a headache for both teams and supporters, but in a way, they are the reason why Test cricket continues to be the most exclusive sport. The format is full of surprises; it is hard-fought and emotionally charged. One session can rewrite history—for better or worse.