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Top 5 Shortest Test Matches in Cricket History by Overs: In cricket, the Test format is considered the ultimate test of patience, composure, and technique. While this five-day game often ends in a draw, there are times when thrilling twists occur right down to the final ball of the last day. However, this longest format of the game has also witnessed matches that concluded much sooner than expected.
Recently, avenging a defeat in the Darwin Test, Australia beat Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in just two days in Mackay. In this match, the Bangladesh team was bowled out for under 100 runs in both innings.
Following the Mackay Test, let us take a look at the five shortest matches in Test history—encounters where the result of this battle between bat and ball was decided even faster than in One Day Internationals.
5 Shortest Test Matches in Cricket History: Full List & Overs
Below is the complete list of the five shortest Test matches ever played (including overs and results)—matches that earned a place in the record books by producing results even faster than One Day Internationals:
5. England vs Australia, Old Trafford (1888) – 196 Overs (4-Ball Overs)
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Result: England won by 21 runs
Occupying the fifth spot on this list is a match played 138 years ago between England and Australia at Old Trafford (Manchester) in 1888. A total of 196 overs were bowled in this match. It is worth noting that, at that time, an over consisted of only four deliveries.
- First Innings (England): England batted only once in the match, scoring 172 runs in 113.1 overs.
- First Innings (Australia): In response, the Australian team was bowled out for just 81 runs in 52.2 overs during their first innings.
- Second Innings (Australia): After being asked to follow on, Australia managed to score only 70 runs in 31.1 overs in their second innings. England won this low-scoring match by 21 runs.
4. Australia vs Bangladesh, Mackay (2026) – 126 Overs
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Result: Australia won by an innings and 51 runs
This Test match, which began in Mackay on August 22, 2026, went down in history as the fourth-shortest Test match ever played. Powered by a brilliant bowling performance, Australia wrapped up the match in just two days.
- First Innings (Bangladesh): Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first, but the Australian bowlers bundled them out for just 64 runs in 34 overs.
- First Innings (Australia): In response, Australia batted with composure, scoring 210 runs in 52.3 overs and securing a commanding lead.
- Second Innings (Bangladesh): The Bangladeshi batsmen failed to make an impact in the second innings as well, getting bowled out for 95 runs in 38.3 overs. Australia won the match by an innings and 51 runs, leveling the series 1-1.
3. West Indies vs England, Bridgetown (1935) – 112 Overs
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Result: England won by 4 wickets
This match, played at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown in 1935, was severely affected by rain. In that era, there were no modern arrangements for covering the pitch, making playing conditions extremely challenging. Despite the rain, the match concluded in just 112 overs—and produced a result—thanks to the strategic decisions made by both captains.
- First Innings (West Indies): Batting first, the West Indies team was bowled out for 102 runs in 47 overs.
- First Innings (England): Considering the poor state of the pitch, England devised a strategy and declared their first innings at 81/7 after just 29.3 overs.
- Second Innings (West Indies): West Indies also declared their second innings at 51/6 in 19 overs, aiming to set a target for England on the difficult pitch.
- Second Innings (England): England needed 73 runs to win, a target they achieved in 16.3 overs for the loss of 6 wickets.
Also Read: Indian Bowlers with Fastest & Most 10-Wicket Hauls in Test History
2. Australia vs South Africa, Melbourne (1932) – 109.2 Overs
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Result: Australia won by an innings and 72 runs
The second-shortest Test match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1932, nearly 94 years ago. This match between Australia and South Africa concluded in a total of just 109.2 overs.
- First Innings (Australia): Australia scored 153 runs in 54.5 overs during their first innings.
- First Innings (South Africa): In reply, the South African team could not withstand the dangerous swing bowling of the Australians and was bowled out for just 36 runs in 23.2 overs.
- Second Innings (South Africa): Forced to follow on, the visiting team's fortunes did not improve in the second innings; they managed to score only 45 runs in 31.3 overs. Consequently, Australia easily won the match by an innings and 72 runs.
1. India vs South Africa, Cape Town (2024) – 107 Overs
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Result: India won by 7 wickets
The shortest Test match in history to produce a result was played between India and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, in 2024. The entire match lasted just 107 overs (642 balls).
- First Innings (South Africa): After winning the toss and electing to bat, the host team crumbled against the Indian pace attack and was bowled out for 55 runs in just 23.2 overs.
- First Innings (India): India scored 153 runs in 34.5 overs in their first innings. (At one stage, India's score was 153/4, but the last 6 wickets fell without adding a single run).
- Second Innings (South Africa): South Africa struggled somewhat in the second innings, scoring 176 runs in 36.5 overs.
- Second Innings (India): India was set a target of 79 runs for victory, which the team achieved in just 12 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.
Also Read: Most Fifties in Test Cricket History: Joe Root Equals Sachin Record
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