Australia’s third-innings declaration on 89-7 against India at Brisbane is their third-lowest declaration total in the history of Test cricket.
After amassing 445 in the Brisbane Test, Australia reduced India to 74-5 and later 213-9. However, India saved the follow-on amidst multiple rain breaks, and were eventually bowled out for 260 on the fifth morning.
Despite losing Josh Hazlewood to an injury, Australia decided to make a game of it by going for quick runs. They eventually declared on 89-7 after 18 eventful overs, setting India 275 in a maximum of 54 overs.
This is now the third-lowest total on which Australia have declared an innings closed in Test cricket and the 12th-lowest in history. However, only one of the 11 entries above the ongoing Test – Australia’s 84-2 against New Zealand at the same venue in 2001-02 – was in the third innings to set a challenging target to the opposition.
Also read: Nathan Lyon: Australia 'surprised' by India's reaction to avoiding the follow-on
Among other reasons, one prominent feature dates back to the era of uncovered pitches, when teams often used to declare to have a go at the opposition on wet wickets. Some third-innings declarations took place to end Tests a couple of overs before the cut-off time, while Sri Lanka made a token declaration in 2010-11.
England forfeited their first innings without playing a ball in 1999-00 upon Hansie Cronje’s suggestions. The Laws of Cricket were later amended to allow teams to forfeit their first innings. Months later, Cronje admitted to fixing the Test match.
Lowest totals on which teams have declared in men’s Test cricket
| Team | Innings | Score | Opposition | Venue | Season | Reason |
| England | 2 | 0-0 | South Africa | Centurion | 1999-00 | forfeiture upon mutual agreement |
| Australia | 3 | 32-7 | England | Brisbane | 1950-51 | put the opposition in on a wet wicket |
| West Indies | 3 | 51-6 | England | Bridgetown | 1934-35 | put the opposition in on a wet wicket |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 57-1 | West Indies | Premadasa | 2010-11 | token declaration |
| England | 2 | 68-7 | Australia | Brisbane | 1950-51 | put the opposition in on a wet wicket |
| England | 3 | 68-0 | India | Delhi | 1981-82 | end of match; teams agreed to a draw |
| England | 2 | 76-9 | Australia | Melbourne | 1936-37 | put the opposition in on a wet wicket |
| England | 3 | 77-4 | Pakistan | Lahore | 2000-01 | end of match; teams agreed to a draw |
| New Zealand | 3 | 79-1 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2008-09 | end of match; teams agreed to a draw |
| England | 2 | 81-7 | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1934-35 | put the opposition in on a wet wicket |
| Australia | 3 | 84-2 | New Zealand | Brisbane | 2001-02 | set a steep target |
| Australia | 3 | 89-7 | India | Brisbane | 2024-25 | set a steep target |
| West Indies | 3 | 92-2 | England | Port of Spain | 1967-68 | set a steep target |
| England | 3 | 96-4 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 1977-78 | set a steep target |
| India | 3 | 97-1 | England | Kanpur | 1984-85 | set a steep target |
| Australia | 3 | 97-2 | Pakistan | Karachi | 2021-22 | set a target after bowlers caught rest |
- The brief scores at Bridgetown 1934-35 read West Indies (102 and 51-6 declared) lost to (England 81-7 declared and 75-6) by four wickets. At Melbourne 1936-37, it was Australia (200-9 declared and 564) beat England (76-9 declared and 323) by 365 runs. At Brisbane 1950-51, it was Australia (228 and 68-7 declared) beat (England 68-7 declared and 122) by 70 runs. All were wet-wicket Tests. Some worked. Some did not.
- At Kingston in 1975-76, Bishan Singh Bedi closed the Indian second innings when they were 97-5, setting the West Indies a target of 13. Three Indians had copped serious injuries, while Bedi and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar were rank tail-enders who were also injured. The innings qualifies as “all out” with five batters absent hurt, not “declared”.
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