Lowest team totals in World Cup
Over the past 12 editions of the ODI World Cup, there have been several coveted achievements have been accomplished by teams etching their name in history books. However, there have been a few occasions, when the teams have got ignominious feats against their names. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five lowest team scores in the history of the World Cup:
5) 69 by Kenya vs New Zealand, 2nd Match, World Cup 2011, Chennai
After Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande won the toss and elected to bat first, they were met with a fierce new ball pair of Hamish Bennet (4/16) and Tim Southee (3/13). The duo picked seven wickets between them as they bundled out the Kenyans for just 69 in 23.5 overs. In reply, Martin Guptill (39* off 32) and Brendon McCullum (26* off 17) made complete mockery of the target and won the match in just eight overs by ten wickets.
4) 68 by Scotland vs West Indies, 23rd Match, World Cup 1999, Leicester
Scotland skipper Geroge Salmond won the toss and elected to bat first against the fierce pace attack of the West Indies. However, the decision backfired big time as they were bundled out for just 68 with Curtly Ambrose (2/8, 10 overs) and Courtney Walsh (3/7, 7 overs) hunting in pair. West Indies chased down the target in 10.1 overs and won the match by eight wickets.
3) 58 by Bangladesh vs West Indies, 19th Match, World Cup 2011, Mirpur
Playing their first World Cup on home soil, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to put runs on the board. However, much to his dismay, the trio of Kemar Roach (3/19, 6 overs), Sulieman Benn (4/18, 5.5 overs) and Darren Sammy (3/21, 7 overs) ran through their batting order bundling them out for just 58. As a result, the co-hosts of the tournament suffered an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat.
2) 45 by Canada vs England in 1979 World Cup, and by Namibia vs Australia in 2003 World Cup
Like all the captains in this list, Canada skipper Bryan Mauricette also made the cardinal sin of winning the toss and electing to bat first. The duo of Bob Willis (4/11, 10.3 overs) and Chris Old (4/8, 10 overs) ran through their batting bundling them out for 45 in 40.3 overs. England went on to win the match by eight wickets.
During the 2003 World Cup, the ignominious feat was achieved by Namibia as well who were hunted down by Glenn McGrath. The Australian seamer registered the best bowling figures in World Cup history (7/15 in 7 overs) and etched his name in the history books. Australia went on to win the match by a massive margin of 256 runs and continued their unbeaten run in the World Cup.
1) 36 by Canada vs Sri Lanka, 2003 World Cup, Paarl
Having held the record for the lowest total in World Cup history for 24 years, the Canadians embarrassingly broke their own record as they were bundled out for 36 in 18.4 overs against Sri Lanka in 2003. Prabath Nissanka (4/12) and Chaminda Vaas (3/15) starred with the ball for Sri Lanka as they went on to win the match by nine wickets. It was also the then second-shortest ODI lasting only 140 balls.
