The West Indies’ recent Test encounter against Australia at Kingston was historic for all the wrong reasons, as they were bowled out for just 27 runs, the second-lowest total in the history of Test cricket. This remarkable collapse occurred during the third match of a three-test series at the Sabina Park Cricket Ground, where the hosts faced a daunting target of 204 runs to win.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc was the chief architect of West Indies’ downfall, delivering an outstanding spell that decimated their batting lineup. In the very first over, Starc struck with his first, fifth, and sixth balls, leaving the West Indies at 7-5. He continued his dominance, taking two more wickets with his 13th and 15th balls, effectively halting their resistance.
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The Windies’ situation worsened when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Roston Chase, reducing their total to 11-6. This raised the specter of New Zealand’s infamous 26 all out, the lowest total in Test cricket history, a record set in Auckland in 1955.
Despite a brief rally led by Justin Greaves, who scored 11 and hit two fours, Scott Boland’s hat-trick in the 16th over pushed the hosts further into despair, bringing the score to 26-9.
Alzarri Joseph’s single off Starc temporarily spared the West Indies from matching the lowest total, but Starc’s subsequent delivery cleaned up Jayden Seales, sealing their fate. The West Indies were bowled out for 27, the second-lowest total in Test cricket history, just behind New Zealand’s 26.
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This collapse highlights the vulnerability of the West Indies’ batting lineup in the face of Australian pace and skill. The lowest totals in men’s Test cricket include 26 by New Zealand in 1955, with the West Indies’ 27 in 2025 being the second-lowest. For context, the previous lowest in the 21st century was India’s 36 against Australia in 2021.
Test cricket lowest totals:
- 26 (New Zealand v England, Auckland, 1955)
- 27 (West Indies v Australia, Kingston, 2025)
- 30 (South Africa v England, Port Elizabeth, 1896 and Birmingham, 1924)
- 35 (South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1899)