Sri Lanka were out for 42 v SA

Sri Lanka succumbed to their lowest-ever total in Test history, crushed by a Marco Jansen seven-for to end up with 42 all out in Durban.

 

Sri Lanka were blown away for 42, with Jansen doing the majority of the damage with his career-best figures of 6.5-1-13-7. In fact, these are now the second-best figures ever by a left-arm quick in Test history, only behind Mitchell Johnson's eight-for against South Africa in 2008.

It's a big setback to their World Test Championship final hopes, with this being a virtual play-off of sorts.

Only two Sri Lanka players were able to get into double-digits, with as many as four ducks on their scorecard. They were bundled out in 13.5 overs – in terms of balls, their 83 is the second-fewest deliveries ever taken in a completed innings.

Among the lowest Test totals this century, Sri Lanka's 42 all out is now the third-lowest, after India's 36 in 2020 and Ireland's 38 in 2019.

Shortest completed innings in Tests (by balls)

Team Score Overs Opposition Year
South Africa 30 12.3 v England 1924
Sri Lanka 42 13.5 v South Africa 2024
South Africa 30 18.4 v England 1896
England 61 15.4 v Australia 1902
Ireland 38 15.4 v England 2019
Australia 58 12.3 v England 1936
India 42 17 v England 1974
Australia 47 18 v South Africa 2011
Australia 60 18.3 v England 2015
Bangladesh 43 18.4 v West Indies 2018

Lowest scores in Test history

Team Score Overs Opposition Inns
New Zealand 26 27 v England 1955
South Africa 30 18.4 v England 1896
South Africa 30 12.3 v England 1924
South Africa 35 22.4 v England 1899
Australia 36 23 v England 1902
South Africa 36 23.2 v Australia 1932
India 36 21.2 v Australia 2020
Ireland 38 15.4 v England 2019
Australia 42 37.3 v England 1888
New Zealand 42 39 v Australia 1946
India 42 17 v England 1974
Sri Lanka 42 13.5 v South Africa 2024
South Africa 43 28.2 v England 1889
Bangladesh 43 18.4 v West Indies 2018
Australia 44 26.0 v England 1896
England 45 35.3 v Australia 1887
South Africa 45 31.3 v Australia 1932
New Zealand 45 19.2 v South Africa 2013

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