Shortest completed Tests in history
Test Cricket is considered the toughest format of the game as it challenges players over the course of five days. Tests weren’t always played for five days as there were timeless Tests also in existence which went on until a team secured a win. However, ironically there have been a few instances in the history of Test cricket when the game has been completed in a little over a day contrary to the expected length of the game. On that note, let’s take a look at the top three shortest completed Tests:
3) West Indies vs England, 1st Test, Bridgetown, January 1935 (112 overs)
After winning the toss and electing to field first, England bundled out West Indies for 102 in 47 overs with Ken Farnes picking 4/40. In reply, England declared their innings on 81/7 with the pitch rapidly deteriorating due to inclement weather. West Indies also declared their second innings on 51/6 setting England a target of 73 to win the game. England chased down the target in 16.3 overs and won the match by four wickets.
2) Australia vs South Africa, 5th Test, Melbourne, February 1932 (109.2 overs)
After opting to bat first, South Africa were bundled out for their fourth-lowest total in Test history, managing only 36 runs in 23.2 overs with Bert Ironmonger picking 5/6 in 7.2 overs. Australia scored 153 in their first innings gaining a lead of 117 runs. With an uphill task at hand to make a comeback in the game, South Africa once again faced the wrath of Ironmonger who claimed his second fifer of the match and picked 6/18 to bundle out the Proteas for just 45. As a result, Australia won the match by an innings and 72 runs.
1) South Africa vs India, 2nd Test, Cape Town, January 2024 (107 overs)
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, South Africa captain Dean Elgar wasn’t aware of what was waiting for them in the first session as they fell prey to a menacing spell by Mohammed Siraj. The Indian seamer registered his career-best figures of 6/15 in nine overs to bundle out South Africa for just 55.
In reply, India scored 153 in the first innings losing their last six wickets without adding a single run and took a 98-run lead. South Africa managed to score 176 in their second innings riding on a splendid century by Aiden Markram (106 off 103) setting India a target of 79 runs to register their first Test win in Cape Town. The Rohit Sharma-led side chased down the target in just 12 overs and won the match by seven wickets to draw the series 1-1.
