Many cricket experts say that test cricket is the best format where the bowlers and batters get the time to settle themselves and plan accordingly against each other. Test Cricket is also known as the most extended format of the game. But there are some test matches where the match finished in two days. So, let’s look at the ten shortest test matches in cricket history.
1. South Africa Vs India (107 Overs)
It is one of the most recent matches played in international cricket, and it is also the shortest test match in cricket history, which lasted for 107 overs. Recently, India has toured South Africa. After losing 1st test, India was ready to level the series in the last test match. South Africa won the toss in this match and elected to bat first. But it was wrong, as they got all out at only 55. Mohammed Siraj took six wickets in the 1st innings. India got a tiny target of 79 runs, and India easily won the match by seven wickets. Mohammed Siraj got the Man of the Match award for their exceptional bowling performance.
2. Australia Vs South Africa (109.2 overs)
Before India vs South Africa, it was the shortest test match, completed in just 109.2 overs. It was the shortest test match ever played at Melbourne Cricket Stadium. It was the 5th test match in the South Africa tour of Australia in 1932. South Africa won the toss, decided to bat first, and got all out at only 36 runs. After that, Australia came to bat and scored 153 runs. In the 3rd innings, South Africa came to bat, and again, they did not perform and got all out at 45 runs. As a result, Australia won the match by an innings and 72 runs.
3. West Indies Vs England (112 Overs)
In 1935, England toured the West Indies. The 1st test match was played at the Bridgetown Stadium, where England won the toss and decided to bowl first. In the 1st innings, West Indies could manage to score 102 runs. Then, England scored only 81 runs in their first innings. In the 3rd innings, due to Jim Smioth’s exceptional spell, West Indies could only score 51 runs, and England got a target of 73 runs. As a result, England efficiently managed to win the match by four wickets. This test match only lasted for 112 overs.
4. England Vs South Africa (135.5 Overs)
In 1912, a triangular tournament was played between England, South Africa, and Australia. At the Oval Stadium, England played a test match against South Africa. South Africa won the toss, decided to bat first, and scored 95 runs in 1st innings. In the 2nd innings, England came to bat and scored 176 runs. After that, South Africa came to bat and scored only 93 runs, which set a target of just 13 runs for England. England quickly chased a target in 4.3 overs; the match finished in 135.5 overs.
5. India Vs England (140.2 Overs)
In 2021, England toured India, and it was one of the most controversial test series where the English Cricket experts criticized Indian pitches. England won the toss in the 3rd test match at Ahmedabad and decided to bat first. No English batsmen could play Axar Patel, and they got all out at 112 runs. India came to bat, and they could only score 145 runs, taking the lead with 33 runs. Again, the English batters could not pick up Axar Patel and got all out at just 81 runs. As a result, India easily won the match by ten wickets.
6. Australia Vs South Africa (144.2 Overs)
It was the 1st test match between Australia and South Africa at Gabba Stadium. Australia won the toss & decided to field. South Africa batted first & scored 152 runs in 1st innings. After that, Australia came to bat, and with Travis Head’s 92 runs, Australia scored 218 runs. In the 3rd innings, South African batting collapsed, and they set a target of only 34 runs. Despite losing four wickets, Australia chased the target, winning the match by six.
7. New Zealand Vs Australia (145.2 Overs)
In 1946, Australia toured New Zealand for only a test match. In the beginning, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. But it was the wrong decision as New Zealand’s batting collapsed, and they got all out at only 42 runs. After that, Australia batted and scored 199 runs. Again, New Zealand performed poorly and got all out at only 54 runs. As a result, Australia won by an innings and 103 runs.
8. England Vs Australia (196 Overs)
In 1888, Australia toured England for a test match series. In the 3rd test match, played in the Old Trafford Stadium, England won and elected to bat first. In the 1st innings, England scored 172 runs. In the 2nd innings, Australia came to bat and could score only 81 runs. England invited Australia for a follow-on, and again, Australia got all out at 70 runs. Due to Australia’s poor performance, England won the match by an innings and 21 runs.
9. England Vs Australia (197 Overs)
The 1st test match played between England and Australia in 1888 lasted for 197 overs. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. In the 1st innings, Australia came to bat and scored 116 runs, where England’s bowler Bobby Peel took four wickets. After that, England came to bat and scored only 53 runs. In the 3rd innings, Australian batting collapsed, and they could only score 60 runs. England got the target of 124 runs, but they got all out at just 62. As a result, Australia won the match by 61 runs.
10. South Africa Vs England (198 Overs)
In 1889, England toured South Africa for a test match series. In the 2nd test match at Cape Town, Cricketing World witnessed one of the shortest test matches in cricket history. England won the toss and chose to bat first. In the 1st innings, England scored 292 runs. After England’s innings, South Africa got all out at 47 runs. Due to this, England invited South Africa for a follow-up. Again, South Africa batted poorly and got all out at 43 runs. As a result, the match finished in 198 overs, and England won by an inning and 202 runs.
