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India vs South Africa 2nd Test proves shortest long-format match in history

This was the shortest match played in the history of Test cricket. Previously, it was the Australia vs South Africa match in 1932, in which only 656 balls were bowled to decide the winner.

India cricket team

India cricket team. Photo: PTI

BS Web Team New Delhi
It took less than five sessions and 642 balls to decide the India vs South Africa 2nd Test winner at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Thursday, January 04, 2024. India emerged victorious by 7 wickets after bowling South Africa out for 55 and 176 runs in two innings. This was the shortest match played in the history of Test cricket. 

India broke the 91-year-old record and suprisingly it was South Africa that time also who ended up on the losing side. Only 656 balls were bowled in the Australia vs South Africa Test match as the Kangaroos emerged victorious after bowling South Africa out for a mere 36 in the first session.
 

Balls faced by both teams in IND vs SA 2nd test
Team Innings Overs Balls Runs
South Africa 1st 23.2 140 55
India 1st 34.5 209 153
South Africa 2nd 36.5 221 176
India 2nd 12 72 80-3


Shortest Test match in history by balls
  • 2024- India vs South Africa, Cape Town (642 balls)
  • 1932 Australia vs South Africa, Melbourne (656 balls bowled)
  • 2021- India vs England Ahmedabad (842 balls)
  • 1935 West Indies vs England, Bridgetown (672 balls bowled)
  • 1888 England vs Australia, Lord's (792 balls bowled)
  • 1888 England vs Australia, Manchester (788 balls bowled)
  • 1889 South Africa vs England, Cape Town (796 balls bowled)
  • 1912 England vs South Africa, The Oval (815 balls bowled)
  • 2000 South Africa vs England, Centurion (883 balls bowled)
  • 2002 Australia vs Pakistan, Sharjah (893 balls bowled)
  • 1946 Australia vs New Zealand, Wellington (872 balls bowled)

Shortest Test match in history by days

Shortest matches (by days)
Team 1 Team 2 Days Winner Ground Match Date
South Africa India 2 India Cape Town 4 Aug 2024
England West Indies 2 England Leeds 17 Aug 2000
Australia Pakistan 2 Australia Sharjah 11 Oct 2002
South Africa Zimbabwe 2 South Africa Cape Town 4 Mar 2005
Zimbabwe New Zealand 2 New Zealand Harare 7 Aug 2005
South Africa Zimbabwe 2 South Africa Gqeberha 26 Dec 2017
India Afghanistan 2 India Bengaluru 14 Jun 2018
India England 2 India Ahmedabad 24 Feb 2021
Afghanistan Zimbabwe 2 Zimbabwe Abu Dhabi 2 Mar 2021
Australia South Africa 2 Australia Brisbane 17 Dec 2022
England Australia 2 Australia The Oval 28 Aug 1882
England Australia 2 Australia Lord's 16 Jul 1888
England Australia 2 England The Oval 13 Aug 1888
England Australia 2 England Manchester 30 Aug 1888
South Africa England 2 England Gqeberha 12 Mar 1889
South Africa England 2 England Cape Town 25 Mar 1889
England Australia 2 England The Oval 11 Aug 1890
South Africa England 2 England Gqeberha 13 Feb 1896
South Africa England 2 England Cape Town 21 Mar 1896
Australia South Africa 2 Australia Manchester 27 May 1912
England South Africa 2 England The Oval 12 Aug 1912
England Australia 2 Australia Nottingham 28 May 1921
Australia West Indies 2 Australia Melbourne 13 Feb 1931
South Africa Australia 2 Australia Johannesburg 15 Feb 1936
New Zealand Australia 2 Australia Wellington 29 Mar 1946
Source: espncricinfo

Most wickets on Day 1 of a Test match

Most wickets on Day 1
Wickets Match Venue Year
25 AUS vs ENG Melbourne 1902
23 SA vs IND Cape Town 2024
22 ENG vs AUS The Oval 1890
22 AUS vs WI Adelaide 1951
21 SA vs ENG Gqeberha 1896
20 ENG vs AUS The Oval 1882
20 AUS vs ENG Melbourne 1892
20 ENG vsSA Leeds 1907
20 SA vs ENG Gqeberha 1889
20 ENG vs AUS Manchester 1909

 
South Africa lowest score in Test history
 
Team Score Overs RR Inns Opposition Ground Match Date
South Africa 30 18.4x5 1.91 4 v England Gqeberha 13 Feb 1896
South Africa 30 12.3 2.4 2 v England Birmingham 14 Jun 1924
South Africa 35 22.4x5 1.84 4 v England Cape Town 1 Apr 1899
South Africa 36 23.2 1.54 1 v Australia Melbourne 12 Feb 1932
South Africa 43 28.2x4 2.26 3 v England Cape Town 25 Mar 1889
South Africa 45 31.3 1.42 3 v Australia Melbourne 12 Feb 1932
South Africa 47 47.1x4 1.49 2 v England Cape Town 25 Mar 1889
South Africa 55 23.2 2.35 1 v India Cape Town 3 Jan 2024
South Africa 58 26.1 2.21 1 v England Lord's 10 Jun 1912
South Africa 72 50.1x8 1.07 4 v England Cape Town 1 Jan 1957
South Africa 72 33.4x8 1.61 4 v England Johannesburg 24 Dec 1956
South Africa 73 28.5 2.53 4 v Sri Lanka Galle 12 Jul 2018
South Africa 75 44.4 1.67 4 v England Leeds 29 Jul 1907
South Africa 79 33.1 2.38 2 v India Nagpur 25 Nov 2015
South Africa 80 32 2.5 4 v Australia Melbourne 31 Dec 1910
source: cricinfo

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First Published: Jan 04 2024 | 5:06 PM IST

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