Top 10 shortest completed Test matches in cricket history

South Africa vs India at Newlands in Cape Town in January 2024 produced the shortest completed Test on record, finishing in 107 overs, with India chasing 79 in 12 overs to win the match. This list ranks the ten shortest finished Tests by total overs bowled, with statistics updated through 22nd November, 2025.

Test cricket’s varying conditions and playing formats have produced several matches that ended within a handful of sessions; pitches, weather and bowling-friendly conditions can all shorten a game. The compilation that follows counts only matches that produced a complete result by one side winning the match. The historical sample includes contests played under different over-length conventions, which affected the raw overs bowled in those games.

The Newlands Test between South Africa and India in January 2024 concluded in five sessions and 107 overs. South Africa were bowled out for 55 in 23.2 overs in the first innings — noted as the lowest total at home — India reached 153 in 34.5 overs after a phase in which they lost their last six wickets without scoring; South Africa then made 176 in 36.5 overs and India chased 79 in 12 overs to secure the victory.

An Australia v South Africa Test at the MCG previously held the shortest completed-match record until the Newlands game in 2024; that match finished in 109.2 overs. Australia batted once for 153 in 54.3 overs, while South Africa were dismissed for 36 in 23.2 overs and 45 in 31.3 overs in their two innings, Australia winning by an innings and 72 runs.

A match in Bridgetown between West Indies and England in January 1935 lasted 112 overs and was heavily influenced by rain and pitch behaviour. West Indies made 102 in 47 overs, England declared at 81 for 7 in 29.3 overs because of the pitch, West Indies then declared 51 for 6 in 19 overs, and England closed at 75 for 6 in 16.3 overs to record the result.

The Australia v Bangladesh Test in Mackay in 2026 occupies fourth place on this list, finishing in 124 overs with Australia winning by an innings and 51 runs. Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in 34 overs in their first innings, Mitchell Starc took six wickets in that innings, Australia replied with 210 in 52.3 overs, and Bangladesh were dismissed for 95 in 38.3 overs in their second innings.

Several late 19th and early 20th century fixtures also feature among the shortest completed Tests by overs bowled. At The Oval in August 1912, South Africa made 95 (42.3), England 176 (56.1), South Africa 93 (32.4) and England reached 14 for 0 in 4.3 overs to win a match lasting 135.5 overs. In Cape Town in March 1889 England scored 292 in 123.1 overs and South Africa were dismissed for 47 (47.1) and 43 (28.2) to lose by an innings and 202 runs in a match totaling 198 overs. Matches in England from the same period include a Lord’s Test in July 1888 that ended after 197 overs with Australia scoring 116 and 60 and England 53 and 62, and the Old Trafford Test from that series which finished in 196 overs with England 172 and Australia 81 and 70.

Note: the list counts only completed matches that produced a win for one side, and the statistics above are current through 22nd November, 2025.