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West Indies cricket has long been defined by a glorious past, with decades of standout performances and legendary players. From the dominance of Sir Vivian Richards to the brilliance of Brian Lara, the Caribbean side has produced some of the greatest talents the game has ever seen. However, that rich legacy is marked by inconsistency and decline in recent years. Their latest outing against Australia was a harsh reminder of that reality, as the team was bundled out by a relentless pace attack in the pink-ball Test—registering their lowest-ever total in the longest format of the game. Let’s explore 5 lowest totals by West Indies in Test cricket.
Here are the 5 lowest scored by West Indies in Test cricket:
1. 27 vs Australia – Sabina Park – 2025
On top of the list is West Indies’ recent outing against Australia on their home turf. On a pitch offering no mercy to batters, the visitors crumbled under the relentless pace attack led by Mitchell Starc, who claimed six wickets and completely dismantled the opposition. In a jaw-dropping start to the fourth innings, West Indies lost three wickets in the very first over without a single run on the board. The collapse worsened when Scott Boland followed up with a sensational hat-trick to wrap things up. It was a dismal performance—one that reflected not just technical shortcomings, but also a lack of composure, application, and fight under pressure.
2. 47 vs England – Kingston, Jamaica – 2004
On March 11, 2004, West Indies suffered one of the most shocking batting collapses in their history. Playing at home in Sabina Park, they had started the match strongly, putting up a solid 311 runs in the first innings. Everything seemed to be going in their favour. But what followed in their second innings stunned everyone. The same team that had crossed 300 could not even manage 50 runs, getting bowled out for just 47. It was a complete collapse that few could have seen coming. While the pitch may have helped the bowlers a bit, the batting effort was simply poor. Fans were left shocked and disappointed as West Indies recorded their lowest-ever Test total at the time—a record that stood for over 20 years.
3. 51 vs Australia – Port of Spain – 1999
West Indies cricket came during the first Test against Australia in Port of Spain in 1999. The hosts were skittled out for just 51 runs in only 19.1 overs, with a scoring rate of 2.66. Only a single batter reached double digits, and the team folded under the relentless pressure of Australia’s world-class pace attack. Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath shared the damage, dismantling the West Indian line-up with clinical precision. It was a brutal reminder of Australia’s dominance and West Indies’ growing struggles in the late ’90s.
Also READ: 5 lowest innings total in Tests featuring West Indies
4. 53 vs Pakistan – Faisalabad – 1986
The mid-1980s marked the peak of West Indies’ dominance in world cricket. Feared for their pace attack and stacked with world-class batters, they were seen as nearly unbeatable. Yet, on October 24, 1986, in Faisalabad, even this mighty side faltered in shocking fashion. Bowled out for just 53 runs, the West Indies suffered one of their most unexpected collapses. The architect of their downfall was legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who spun a web around the visitors with a brilliant six-wicket haul. His performance, coupled with helpful pitch conditions, tore through a star-studded batting line-up. It was a reminder that even the strongest teams are vulnerable when everything clicks for the opposition—especially in subcontinent conditions.
5. 54 vs England – Lord’s – 2000
Wrapping up the list is West Indies’ total of 54 all out against England at the iconic Lord’s on June 29, 2000. Coming in the third innings of the match, this collapse was a clear sign of the team’s growing struggles during that era. England’s bowlers, especially Darren Gough and Andy Caddick, made full use of the helpful conditions to dismantle the West Indies batting line-up with ease. The visitors had no answers and folded quickly, underlining the widening gap between the two sides at the time.
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