The game of cricket is highly unpredictable and may not even make sense at times. Batting collapse is one such element that rarely makes sense. At one point, a team is riding high on century-plus partnerships, and in the next moment, they are all out for a mere 30 or 40 runs, sometimes even less. At times, it happens due to a prolific bowling display, a change in playing conditions, or simply due to poor batting. Whatever the reason, batting collapses are incredibly unpleasant. Here is a list of 10 of the worst batting collapses in the history of cricket.
1. India Vs Australia, 2017
Batting first, Australia scored a decent 260 in the first innings. Things looked hopeful for India as Kohli and Rahul were at the crease even though they were three wickets down. However, things soon went downhill as India lost seven wickets for just 11 runs, getting bowled out for 105. The downfall continued in the second innings as well when they lost five wickets for eight runs, losing by a behemoth margin of 333 runs.
2. Australia Vs West Indies, 1992
Winning the toss and deciding to bat first didn’t go in Australia’s favour. Playing comfortably on 85 for a loss of 2 wickets, they lost the next 8 for 34 runs. Seven of these were taken by Curtly Ambrose, who wreaked havoc in the Australian batting lineup. Four of the eight wickets were ducks. The result was West Indies winning the game by an innings and 25 runs while also taking the series home.
3. England Vs Pakistan, 2001
Looking in a comfortable position to chase the target of 370 runs set by Pakistan, England put on 146 runs before the first wicket fell. It seemed as though they would cruise home. They were three wickets down at 213 when the collapse happened. The Pakistani bowlers, led by Saqlain Mushtaq, conceded only 48 runs while taking the remaining seven wickets, and what once looked like a very gettable target, fell short by 108 runs.
4. India Vs England, 2018
In what was Alastair Cook's last test, England had set India a target of 474 runs. The visitors were in trouble with half the side back in the pavilion for 121. However, a 200-plus partnership between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul brought India back into the game. India looked comfortable on their path chasing the highest target ever in tests when the batting broke, and they lost five wickets for 20 runs, giving a fairytale ending to Cook's story and also putting Jimmy Anderson past Glenn McGrath to become the highest-wicket taking fast bowler.
5. New Zealand Vs Pakistan, 2003
The Kiwis were in a commanding position, having scored 366 in their first innings and having restricted Pakistan to 196, and they were on the road to post a huge target and to win the match. Even after being three down for 95 in the second innings, they looked strong. However, the Pakistani bowling attack turned the game on its head, and the Kiwis lost seven wickets for a lowly eight runs. Pakistan chased down the target, and won the series 1-0.
6. Sri Lanka Vs West Indies, 1986
West Indies posted a healthy 248 runs in their 45 overs and Sri Lanka started well, facing the West Indian bowling attack comfortably. It was when they were two wickets down at 45 when Courtney Walsh worked his magic, taking five wickets and bundling Sri Lanka out for 55 runs. They lost eight wickets for 10 runs, with West Indies winning the game by a massive margin of 193 runs.
7. Australia Vs South Africa, 2011
Being in the driving seat after dismissing South Africa for a meagre 96 in the first innings, Australia had a healthy lead of 188 and looked sure to post a huge target. However, their second innings never really took off as they lost nine wickets for 21 runs, with the last wicket partnership taking them to 47. The trio of Steyn, Philander, and Morkel were the precursors of disaster for Australia as South Africa won the match by eight wickets.
8. India Vs Sri Lanka, 1996
Chasing 251, India looked in a comfortable position with Tendulkar playing on 65 and scoring 98 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Then, the Sri Lankan bowlers came into play, and India lost seven wickets for 22 runs. The enraged fans set some parts of the stands on fire and also threw bottles at some of the fielders. The match did not progress any further, and Sri Lanka won by default.
9. West Indies Vs England, 2000
After bowling England out for 134 in the first innings, West Indies had a healthy lead of 133, which they looked to build upon. However, the trio of Gough, Caddick, and Cork blew their plans to dust as their batting collapsed altogether, and they managed to add only 54 runs to their lead. The excellent bowling display helped England to win the match by two wickets and to draw the series at 1-1.
10. England Vs Australia, 1882
Needing a mere 85 runs, England looked sure to win. Even when they were four wickets down at 66, the target was 19 runs away when they lost the last six wickets for just 11 runs. An obituary was jokingly printed, which stated that English Cricket had died that day and the Ashes taken back to Australia. Thus began the most storied of rivalries in test cricket.
