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Test cricket is the ultimate examination of skill, patience, and mental strength. However, even the most experienced teams can suffer shocking collapses. In the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), several teams have recorded the lowest combined total under extreme pressure.
Achieving a lowest combined total often involves both poor batting and outstanding bowling, creating unforgettable moments of domination. The lowest combined total in a Test match highlights how quickly momentum can shift, even in the longest format.
These instances not only shock fans but also become historic talking points. Whether due to unplayable seam, spin, or nerves, a lowest combined total reflects how Test cricket can humble even the strongest line-ups.
In this article, we dive deep into the five teams who suffered the lowest combined total in ICC WTC history—and how those matches changed the course of the series or careers.
What Is a Combined Total in Test Cricket?
In a Test match, each team has two innings. The combined total is the sum of a team’s scores from both innings. A low combined score typically signals a dramatic batting failure or an extraordinary bowling performance by the opposition.
1. India – 124 Runs (36 & 88) vs Australia, 2020
- Venue: Adelaide Oval
- Date: December 17–19, 2020
- Result: Australia won by 8 wickets
India’s performance in the Adelaide Test of 2020 remains the lowest combined total in ICC WTC history. After scoring 244 in the first innings, India was blown away for just 36 runs in the second—its lowest-ever total in Test cricket.
Stat Highlight: No Indian batsman reached double digits in the second innings. Josh Hazlewood (5/8) and Pat Cummins (4/21) were ruthless.
2. Bangladesh – 135 Runs (60 & 75) vs New Zealand, 2022
- Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Date: January 9–11, 2022
- Result: New Zealand won by an innings and 117 runs
After a historic win in the first Test, Bangladesh suffered a shocking collapse in the second. New Zealand pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee exploited seaming conditions to bundle Bangladesh out for 60 and 75, marking one of their worst Test defeats.
Key Moment: Boult claimed 5 wickets in the first innings and made early inroads again in the second.
3. West Indies – 117 Runs (51 & 66) vs Australia, 2022
- Venue: Adelaide Oval
- Date: December 8–11, 2022
- Result: Australia won by 419 runs
The West Indies’ batting lineup fell apart twice in the Pink Ball Test at Adelaide. After conceding 511/7 declared, they collapsed to 51 and 66, totaling just 117 runs—a new low in WTC history.
Bowling Brilliance: Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc ran through the Windies lineup with swing and pace.
4. England – 126 Runs (58 & 68) vs New Zealand, 2018 (Pre-WTC but carried into WTC records)
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Date: March 22–25, 2018
- Result: New Zealand won by an innings and 49 runs
While officially before the WTC era, this match is often included in extended stats. England were skittled for 58 and 68, with 126 runs combined, against an in-form Kiwi pace attack led by Trent Boult.
Note: A strong argument can be made to exclude this match from WTC-only stats, but it’s still a historical collapse worth noting.
5. Pakistan – 138 Runs (72 & 66) vs South Africa, 2021
- Venue: Johannesburg
- Date: April 3–5, 2021
- Result: South Africa won by 7 wickets
Pakistan suffered a brutal twin-collapse against a fearsome South African pace battery. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada shared 15 wickets as Pakistan fell for 72 and 66, barely managing a total of 138 runs.
Impact: It highlighted Pakistan’s continued struggles with pace-friendly conditions overseas.
Quick Recap: Lowest Combined Totals in ICC WTC History
| Rank | Team | Total | Innings Scores | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 124 | 36 & 88 | Australia | 2020 |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 135 | 60 & 75 | New Zealand | 2022 |
| 3 | West Indies | 117 | 51 & 66 | Australia | 2022 |
| 4 | England | 126 | 58 & 68 | New Zealand | 2018* |
| 5 | Pakistan | 138 | 72 & 66 | South Africa | 2021 |
Why Do These Collapses Happen?
- Bowler-friendly pitches
- Poor shot selection
- Lack of temperament
- World-class bowling attacks
The lowest combined total in ICC WTC history often occurs in swinging or seaming conditions where teams fail to adapt quickly.
The Psychological Impact
A low combined score doesn’t just lose you a Test—it haunts a team. These performances expose technical flaws and often spark changes in personnel or tactics.
- India’s 36 all-out led to a miraculous comeback later in the series.
- Bangladesh’s 135 raised serious concerns about overseas adaptability.
- West Indies’ 117 highlighted the urgent need for red-ball batting depth.
Recording the lowest combined total in a Test match is never a proud moment, but it’s one that remains etched in the history books. These performances show how Test cricket can brutally punish any lapse in concentration or technique. Every lowest combined total comes with a story of struggle, missed opportunities, and exceptional opposition bowling.
From India’s 36 all-out to Bangladesh’s struggles in seaming conditions, these instances of the lowest combined total were turning points that shook entire teams. They serve as painful reminders that no team is immune to collapse—even the giants.
What makes the lowest combined total so impactful is how it affects team morale, media narratives, and even selection policies. Coaches and captains are forced to rethink strategies, while players reassess techniques.
The lowest combined total doesn’t just decide a match—it can redefine a team’s future. And as the ICC World Test Championship progresses, we’re sure to witness more such dramatic chapters in red-ball cricket history.