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 |
Absolute carnage in Durban! Sri Lanka have been skittled for 42 in just 13.5 overs 🤯
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 28, 2024
It’s their lowest ever score in a Test match😵
Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/JD2WolSXHV pic.twitter.com/1GI3y4BoWJ
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 |
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.