Sri Lanka: Lowest ODI and World Cup scores in history

bet365 News Team Updated: 03 Nov 23 08:19 Published: 02 Nov 23 17:15

Sri Lanka recorded the fourth-lowest World Cup total in history on Thursday, as they were bowled out for just 55 by India, who claimed an emphatic 302-run victory in Mumbai.

That result confirmed India's place in the semi-finals and they have now won seven out of seven at their home tournament, while Sri Lanka's hopes of progressing to the final four have been dealt a major blow.

Sri Lanka record their lowest World Cup total

Having been set a World Cup record 358 to win by India, Sri Lanka were always up against it, but what unfolded at the Wankhede Stadium was nothing short of disastrous for Chris Silverwood's side, as they slumped to 14-6.

The prospect of recording the lowest one-day international total in history was a distinct possibility at that stage, but Sri Lanka just about limped to a score of 55, with bowler Kasun Rajitha top-scoring with a poultry 14 - he was one of just three players that made it to double figures.

That total represented Sri Lanka's lowest score at an ODI World Cup, surpassing the 86 they recorded against the West Indies in 1975, while it was also their joint third-lowest total in ODI cricket.

The Lions' lowest ODI score came when they were bowled out by South Africa for just 43 in 2012, but their total on Wednesday wasn’t even their lowest score against India or of the year.

That's because they were dismissed for just 50 by the same opponents in the Asia Cup in September. Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out in less than 16 overs and India needed just 37 balls to surpass their target.

Unwanted World Cup record remains intact

Sri Lanka were able to, just about, avoid the lowest score in ODI World Cup history, with the 36 recorded by Canada at the 2003 tournament remaining at the top of that list.

Ironically, Sri Lanka were Canada's opponents for that one-sided contest in South Africa and after skittling out their opponents for a record-breaking lowest total, they reached their target inside five overs.

Canada also have the unwanted distinction of posting the joint second-lowest score at an ODI World Cup, as they were dismissed for just 45 by England in 1979, remarkably that total came off 40.3 overs.

The only other team to have posted a lower ODI World Cup score than Sri Lanka were Namibia, who at least didn't waste too much time in being dismissed for 45 against Australia in 2003, as it took them just 14 overs to get to that total.

Zimbabwe and USA share overall record

The lowest one-day international total ever recorded did not come at a World Cup and the record is shared by two teams, with Zimbabwe and the USA having both having previously been dismissed for just 35.

Surprise, surprise, Sri Lanka were involved in one of those record-breaking totals, as they dismissed Zimbabwe for 35 during a match in Harare in February 2004, with Chaminda Vaas (4-11) and Farveez Maharoof (3-3) making light work of the Chevrons batting line-up.

The USA registered their record-low score against Nepal in 2020. Opener Xavier Marshall made nearly half of that total, posting 16, but no other player for the States managed to record more than four, many of them falling victim to the bowling of spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who ended with impressive figures of 6-16.

Canada's 2003 World Cup collapse against Sri Lanka is the third-lowest total in history, while the Sri Lankan bowlers were also responsible for the fourth score on that list and again that came against Zimbabwe when they dismissed them for just 38 in 2001.

Sri Lanka won't be the last to score low

Sri Lanka's worst-ever score of 43 ranks fifth on the all-time ODI list, but their effort against India is only the joint-14th lowest recorded in the 50-over international game.

India themselves have actually recorded a lower total, making just 54 against Sri Lanka in October 2000, while Pakistan (43) and the West Indies (54) also know what it's like to go below 55.

New Zealand’s lowest total in ODI cricket stands at 64, while South Africa have posted 69 and Australia 70.

Meanwhile England, despite their struggles at this year's World Cup, have never recorded a score lower than 86, a total they produced against Australia on home soil in Manchester in June 2001.