Test cricket is the longest format of cricket and is used to assess a team's overall endurance and aptitude. In the decades afterward, there have been several noteworthy but brief test matches. However, each of them has gone down in history as one of the shortest test matches ever played.
In this article, we have produced a list of the shortest test matches in cricket history in terms of playing duration (days) and balls bowled.
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The Top 7 shortest test match in cricket history with result
7. Australia vs. New Zealand, Wellington, 1946 (872 balls bowled)
The seventh shortest test match in cricket history occurred in Wellington, when Australia met New Zealand.
The Kiwis chose to bat first after winning the toss. That decision, however, backfired catastrophically, as they were bowled out for 42, courtesy of a 5-wicket haul from Bill O'Reilley. In response, the Australians declared their first inning at 199 for 8. New Zealand struggled once again in their second inning, finally being bowled out for 54 as Australia scored its quickest test match victory, defeating the Kiwis by an innings and 103 runs in less than two days.
6. England vs. South Africa, The Oval, 1912 (815 balls bowled)
Another record-breaking cricket test match occurred in 1912, when England met South Africa at the Oval in a one-of-a-kind triangular test competition. South Africa were bowled out for 95 runs after deciding to bat first. Sydney Barnes and Frank Woolley both grabbed five wickets.
England responded with 176 runs, but Aubrey Faulkner stole the show with 7 for 84. The Proteas were all out for 93, behind England by 81 runs. England eventually scored 13 runs to record a 10-wicket victory, marking one of the shortest test match victories in less than two days.
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5. South Africa vs. England, Cape Town, 1889 (796 balls bowled)
The next quickest test match in cricket history was in 1889, when England thrashed South Africa at Capetown.
Choosing to bat first, England were all out for 292 due to starter Bobby Abel's 120. William Ashley grabbed seven wickets. South Africa were bowled out for 47 runs in reply, thanks to the heroics of Johnny Briggs, who took seven wickets for 17 runs.
Following that, the Proteas were humiliated once again when they were terminated at the age of 43. Briggs once again took 8 for 11 and recorded the fastest test match victory for his nation, as the match concluded before the conclusion of the second day.
4. England vs. Australia, Manchester, 1888 (788 balls bowled)
Another shortest test match in which a side won the fastest test match happened in 1888 at Old Trafford, Manchester, when England and Australia played the third and final Test.
England batted first and were dismissed for 172 on the opening day, with Charlie Turner getting five wickets. Bobby Peal then bowled an incredible spell on a wet surface to eliminate the Australians for 81 runs, giving England a 91-run advantage. Following that, Australia was in trouble early in their second innings, losing all four batsmen for ducks and being swept out for 70 before noon on Day 2.
3. England vs. Australia at Lord's in 1888 (792 balls bowled)
The third-shortest test match ever played in test cricket history took place at Lord's in 1888, when Australia was visiting England.
Australia batted first and were bowled out for 116 runs in 71.2 overs. As a consequence, England's batting faltered, and they were bowled out after scoring just 53 runs in 50 overs. In their second inning, Australia only managed to score 60 runs in 29.2 overs. With 124 runs to win, England was dismissed for 62 runs in 47 overs in the fourth inning. It took 1 day and 42 overs for the Aussies to win their quickest test match.
Also read: Most Wickets In A Day In Test Cricket: Lord's Test, 1888
2. West Indies vs. England, Bridgetown, 1935 (672 balls bowled)
The second-quickest test match ever observed happened in early 1935, when England was visiting the West Indies for a four-match Test series.
After winning the toss in the first Test in Bridgetown, the tourists bowled out the hosts for 102. England was anticipated to bat better than their opponents, but they were skittled out for 81 runs. Coming out to bat with a 21-run advantage, the West Indies' batting collapsed for the second game in a row, getting bowled for 51 runs, allowing England to chase 73 runs to win. Despite Manny Martindale's 5-wicket haul, England triumphed by four wickets and completed their shortest test match victory in one day and 22 overs.
1. Australia vs. South Africa at Melbourne, 1932 (656 balls bowled)
When South Africa entered the fifth Test in Melbourne after the Aussies had severely thrashed them in each of the previous four tests, it became the shortest test match in cricket history.
South Africa were bowled out for 36 in the opening session of the first day after deciding to bat first. Bert Ironmonger's 5/6 was the reason for this. Australia responded by scoring 153 runs. The Proteas were expecting a stronger performance the second time around, but were bundled out for 45. Ironmonger was the hero once again, taking six wickets for 18 runs as Australia crushed South Africa to record their fastest test match victory.
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