Glory and misery – The highest and lowest team totals of Test nations

Test cricket at times could be really unpredictable with teams collapsing to pretty low totals and making big totals. Teams do get the luxury of making merry of the good batting conditions and could find themselves in situations where it will be extremely difficult to bat. At times, teams come up with such contrasting performances in the same season or against the same opposition or even at the same venue.

Here we look at the highest and lowest totals in Test cricket of all the 12 full member countries:

Afghanistan:

Highest – 342 vs Bangladesh in 2019

Lowest – 103 vs India in 2018

Afghanistan, just two years into Test cricket, is yet to record a 400+ total or a sub-100 total in the format. Their highest of 342 came during the Test win in Bangladesh last year and the lowest coming during the 2018 debut Test against the mighty Indian side.

Australia:

Highest – 758/8 dec vs West Indies in 1955

Lowest – 36 vs England in 1902

Australia, known for their heavy batting line-up has never been able to breach the 800-run mark. Their highest came against West Indies in 1955 when they posted 758/8. Their lowest came in 1902 where they got bowled out for just 36 runs.

Bangladesh:

Highest – 638 vs Sri Lanka in 2013

Lowest – 43 vs West Indies in 2018

Bangladesh couldn’t face the heat of Jason Holder and co in the 2018 Caribbean tour where they registered their lowest Test total of 43. Their highest of 638 came in 2013 when Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim turned up with big hundreds.

England:

Highest – 903/7 dec vs Australia in 1938

Lowest – 45 vs Australia in 1887

England were the first team in Test history to breach the 900-run mark and seemed to be on their way to a four-digit total. The total of 903/7 by England came against Australia, the same opponent against whom they recorded their lowest total of 45.

India:

Highest – 759/7d vs England in 2016

Highest – 36 vs Australia in 2020

Only a few days back, India registered their lowest total ever when they got packed up by the Aussies for 36 runs. It took place on December 19, exactly four years after India recorded their highest Test total of 759/7 by virtue of an unbeaten triple century by Karun Nair.

Same day, 4 years apart, two different stories!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/IZ9P79f1ne

— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) December 19, 2020

Ireland:

Highest – 339 vs Pakistan in 2018

Lowest – 38 vs England in 2019

Ireland, still searching for their maiden Test win, succumbed to just 38 runs in the last year’s Test at the Lord’s after taking a first-inning lead. The highest total of the Irish team came against Pakistan on their Test debut.

New Zealand:

Highest – 715/6 dec vs Bangladesh in 2019

Lowest – 26 vs England in 1955

New Zealand will go down in the history of Test cricket for recording the lowest total-ever as they bundled out for just 26 runs against England in 1955. Earlier in 2019, the Kiwis got their highest total when they made 715/6 against Bangladesh.

Pakistan:

Highest – 765/6 dec vs Sri Lanka in 2009

Lowest – 49 vs South Africa in 2013

Pakistan made a huge total of 765/6 against Sri Lanka in 2009 in a home series which turned out to be their last Test series in Pakistan for next decade. It is their biggest total in the history of Test cricket while the lowest of 49 came against South Africa.

South Africa:

Highest – 682/6 dec vs West Indies in 2003

Lowest – 30 vs England in 1896 and 1924

Unlike many other teams, South Africa’s lowest total in Test cricket is recorded twice, that too against the same opponent. The Proteas were bowled out for 30 runs in 1896 against England and also in 1924 for the same total. South Africa are yet to make a 700+ total as their highest score reads 682/6.

Sri Lanka:

Highest – 952/6 dec vs India in 1997

Lowest – 71 vs Pakistan in 1994

Sri Lanka hold the record for the highest total in the history of Test cricket as they dead batted to reach 952/6 against India in 1997. Sri Lanka never succumbed to pretty low totals as their lowest Test total reads 71 which makes them one of the three teams without a sub-50 total thus far.

West Indies:

Lowest – 790/3 dec vs Pakistan in 1958

Lowest – 47 vs England in 2004

Much before their peak in Test cricket, West Indies recorded their highest Test total of 790/3 against Pakistan. Their batting began to fail since the beginning of the 21st century and were bowled out for only 47 runs in 2004 showing an example to their decline.

Zimbabwe:

Highest – 563/9 dec vs West Indies in 2001

Lowest – 51 vs New Zealand in 2012

Zimbabwe, known for their epic collapses in Test cricket, haven’t got bowled out under 50-run mark thus far. However, they are yet to make a 600+ total as their highest total is only 563/9 against West Indies in 2001.