West Indies avoided the record for the lowest total in Test history by the skin of their teeth after they were bowled out for 27 against Australia in Kingston, Jamaica.
An extraordinary first over from Mitchell Starc saw the Australian pace bowler strike with his first, fifth and sixth deliveries, but the West Indies' struggles didn't conclude there.
Starc's 15th ball saw him achieve the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history to leave the hosts 7-5, and when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Roston Chase to make it 11-6, the prospect of West Indies breaking New Zealand's record lowest total of 26 became an unnerving reality.
Two boundaries from Justin Greaves eased those fears, but just as they appeared to be steering to a recovery, Scott Boland registered a fabulous hat-trick to reduce West Indies to 26-9.
A single from Alzarri Joseph spared the Windies the embarrassment of equalling the record lowest total, but their innings concluded immediately after as Starc claimed his 402nd Test wicket by removing Jayden Seales, finishing with figures of 6-9.
Although the West Indies avoiding the ignominy of scoring the lowest total in Test history, it was no less embarrassing.
New Zealand's record has now stood for over 70 years after they were humiliated by England in Auckland all the way back in 1955.
India previously held the record for the lowest Test total in the 21st century when they were bowled out for 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020.
Lowest score in Test history
Score | Team | Opponent | Match Date |
26 | New Zealand | England | 25 Mar 1955 |
27 | West Indies | Australia | 12 Jul 2025 |
30 | South Africa | England | 13 Feb 1986 |
30 | South Africa | England | 14 Jun 1924 |
35 | South Africa | England | 1 Apr 1899 |
36 | South Africa | Australia | 12 Feb 1932 |
36 | Australia | England | 29 May 1902 |
36 | India | Australia | 17 Dec 2020 |
