Shortest completed Test matches by overs: South Africa vs India 2024 Cape Town Test tops list

The shortest Test match was recorded between hosts South Africa and India played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town in 2024. 

Led by captain Rohit Sharma, team India won the Test by seven wickets to level the two-match series 1-1. The game ended in just five sessions as only 107 overs were bowled in the record-breaking Test.

The Cape Town Test broke the 92-year-old record in Test cricket as the previous record for the shortest completed Test match was played between Australia and South Africa at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1932. The game lasted for 109.2 overs as Australia won the MCG Test by an innings and 72 runs. 

The third shortest Test match was recorded between West Indies and England in Bridgetown in January 1935. This game was completed in 112 overs as the visitors won by four wickets. Get the list of shortest completed Test matches by overs.

Shortest completed Test matches by overs

South Africa vs India, Cape Town, 2024 | 107 overs

The 2024 Cape Town Test between South Africa and India became the shortest completed Test match as the game only lasted for 107 overs. The Dean Elgar-led hosts were bowled out for 55 in 23.2 overs in the first innings of the second Test of India’s tour of South Africa in 2024. Mohammed Siraj was the wrecker-in-chief for India with six wickets for just 15 runs. In reply, India could only manage 153 in their 34.5 overs. Interestingly, the visitors lost their last six wickets without a run. Later, South Africa rode on Aiden Markram’s 106 to post 176 all out in 36.5 overs in their second innings to keep their hopes alive. However, Rohit Sharma’s India chased down 79 in 12 overs to register an emphatic victory and also level the series 1-1.

Australia vs South Africa, Melbourne, 1932 | 109.2 overs

The second shortest completed Test match was played between Australia and South Africa in 1932. The visitors were bundled out for 36 in 23.2 overs in the first innings of the fifth Test at the MCG. The Jock Cameron-led side later bowled out Australia for 153 in 54.3 overs to stay in the game. However, South Africa were once again skittled out for 45 in their second innings as Australia won the Melbourne Test by an innings and 72 runs. With the massive win, Bill Woodfull’s Australia whitewashed South Africa 5-0 in the five-match series.

West Indies vs England, Bridgetown, 1935 | 112 overs

The 1935 Bridgetown Test between West Indies and England features third on the list of the shortest completed Test matches. The game lasted for only 112 overs. Electing to field first, England bowled out West Indies for 102 in 47 overs during the first Test of the four-match series in January 1935. In reply, England declared their first innings at 81/7 in 29.3 overs. Jackie Grant’s West Indies later declared their second innings with a score of 51/6 in 19 overs on the board. In the fourth innings, England successfully chased down 73 in 16.3 overs to win the Test by four wickets. Despite the win, England lost the series 1-2.  

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