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Ten Shortest Test Matches In History (With A Result)

The test format of cricket is the slowest, but it is still considered to be the best and most entertaining for many cricket fans. This is because it really tests the skills of both the bowlers and the batsman. It’s a test of skill, perseverance, and mental acuity. It is the most demanding and taxing format of cricket prevalent today. This article talks about the 10 shortest test matches in history, which yielded a result.

What Are The 10 Shortest Test Matches?

10. Australia Vs New Zealand (145.2 Overs)

Credit: Te Ara

The game between Australia and New Zealand, which took place from 29th March to 30th March 1946, is one of the shortest test matches in history. The game took place at Wellington in a one-off test match. Australia managed to get New Zealand all out for a mere 42 runs in 39 overs. They hit 199 runs in 74 overs before declaring with a lead of 157 runs. However, New Zealand’s batting did not improve much in the second inning, and Australia got them all out once again, this time in 32.2 overs, winning the game in a mere 145.2 overs.

9. Australia Vs South Africa (144.2 Overs)

The test match between Australia Vs South Africa was held at Brisbane between 17th and 18th December 2022. This match consisted of four innings but is still one of the quickest test matches in history. South Africa batted first and made 152 runs in 48.2 overs before being bowled out. Australia followed suit and was bowled out for 218 runs in 50.3 overs. If South Africa’s first inning was bad, they played even worse in the second inning, getting all out for just 99 in 37.4 overs, setting a target of 34, which was chased down in 7.5 overs to finish the game in 144.2 overs.

8. India Vs England (140.2 Overs)

Credit: ESPNcricinfo

The 3rd test match between India and England took place in Ahmedabad between 24th and 25th February 2021. England batted first and made 112 runs in 48.4 overs.  It looked like India would take a comfortable lead; however, they, too, were bowled out for 145 runs in just 53.2 overs. England had a chance to get back into the game but played even worse in the second inning, getting all out for 81 runs in 30.4 overs. India chased down the target of 49 runs in just 7.4 overs to finish the game in a mere 140.2 overs.

7. England Vs South Africa (135.5 Overs)

The game between England and South Africa took place at The Oval between 12th and 13th August 1912. South Africa started out horribly, getting all out for just 95 runs in 42.3 overs. England did better but not by much, scoring 176 runs in 56.1 overs before getting bowled out. South Africa did even worse in the second inning, getting all out for 93 in 32.4 overs and setting a target of 13 runs for England, which was chased down in just 4.3 overs, finishing the game in just 135.5 overs.

6. England Vs South Africa (132.4 Overs)

The test match between England and South Africa, which took place at Cape Town between 25th and 26th March 1889, lasted for 199 overs. While this number seems higher than that of other test games, this is because there used to be four-ball overs at that time. So, 199 overs come down to 132.4 6-ball overs. England batted first and were bowled out for 292 runs in 123.1 overs. South Africa made 47 runs in their first inning in just 47.1 overs and were given a follow-on. However, even with this follow-on, they could only manage another 43 runs in 28.2 overs before being bowled out.

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5. Australia Vs England (132 Overs)

The game between Australia and England, which took place at The Lord’s between 16th and 17th July 1888, is another example of a test match with four-ball overs. So, while the game lasted for 198 overs, it only counts as 132 overs if you count them as six-ball overs. Australia made 116 runs in 71.2 overs in the first inning, followed by England getting bowled out for just 53 in 50 overs. Australia made 60 runs in 29.2 overs to extend their lead and set a target of 124. However, England were unable to chase it down and were bowled out for just 62 runs in 47 overs.

4. England Vs Australia (131.2 Overs)

The test match between England and Australia, which took place in Manchester between 30th and 31st August 1888, is the third and last match on the list, which had four-ball overs. The match lasted for 197 overs, but that only counts as 131.2 overs today. England batted first and made 172 runs in 113.1 overs before being bowled out. Australia made just 81 runs in their first inning in 52.2 overs and were given a follow-on. However, Australia could only make 70 runs in the second inning in 31.1 overs, which meant England won by an inning and 21 runs.

3. England Vs West Indies (112.0 Overs)

Credit: ESPNcricinfo

England faced West Indies in a test match in Bridgetown between 8th and 10th January 1935. West Indies batted first and made 102 runs in 47 overs before getting all out. England made 81 runs in 29.3 overs and, in a surprise decision, chose to declare. West Indies made 51 runs in 19 overs in their second inning before choosing to declare, too, setting a target of 73 for England. England chased this down in just 16.3 overs, completing the game in 112 overs and making this one of the smallest and strangest test matches in history.

2. Australia Vs South Africa (109.2 Overs)

The game between Australia and South Africa, which took place in Melbourne between 12th and 15th February 1932, is the second shortest test match in history. South Africa batted first and lost all their wickets in just 23.2 overs, having made 36 runs. Australia put up a respectable 153 runs on the board in 54.3 overs before getting all out. South Africa improved in the second inning, but not by much. They were bowled out for just 45 runs in 31.3 overs. The game finished in just 109.2, and Australia won by an inning and 72 runs.

1. India Vs South Africa (107.0 Overs)

Credit: Al Jazeera

A test match took place between India and South Africa in Cape Town between 3rd and 4th January 2024. This is the quickest test game in the history of the sport to yield a result. South Africa batted first and were bowled out for 55 runs in 23.2 overs. India followed this up by making 153 runs in 34.5 overs before losing all their wickets. South Africa made 176 runs in 36.5 overs in their second inning to set a target of 79 for India, which was chased down in just 12 overs, with the game finishing with just 107 overs being played.

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