[Records] New Zealand once again in disgraced Test list

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The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa started with the hosts opting to go for bat after winning the toss. What followed remains a nightmare for Kiwis. Vernon Philander, alongside Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, made the Test innings a Twenty20 for New Zealand as they were all-out on as low as 45 runs in 19.2 overs. This was the fourth time New Zealand’s innings was finished under 50.

[caption id="attachment_258" align="alignright" width="226"] It was the 19th time in Test history that a team was bowled out below 50 (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption]

In November, 2011, a historic Test was played on the same ground of Newlands between South Africa and Australia in which 23 wickets were fallen on the second day. Australia were bowled out on 47 runs as debutant Philander took eight wickets in the match.

Philander took five wickets in the space of 20 balls at the expense of seven runs. In total, he bowled six overs in the first innings.

Having scored 45 runs, New Zealand escaped their lowest total in a Test innings, but the prospect of their defeat in the current match is looming large as South Africa have scored 347 runs in the first inning.

New Zealand also have the record of lowest total ever for any team. In March, 1955, England sent packing Black Caps in Auckland for just 26 runs.

There were 19 occasions ever when a team got all-out before reaching 50-run mark. South Africans have the ‘honour’ of being bowled out most times under 50 runs in Test cricket, but it has been an old story now. The last time Proteas got bowled out under 50 was in 1932 against Australia when they managed to score only 36 runs.

The other instances when a team got all-out under 50 runs were when in 1974 Lord’s Test India were all-out for 42, 1994 Port of Spain Test when England were all-out for 46 against West Indies and in 2004 when West Indies were all-out for 47 against England.

Amazingly, five matches in which a team got out under 50 runs were played in Cape Town, whereas England have the honour of bowling out their opponents the most number of times below that mark. There are 12 occasions when England restricted their rival team under 50 runs.

Below is the list of all the Tests when a whole team were back to the pavilion before reaching 50 runs:

Occasions when a team were bowled out below 50 runs

	Runs	Overs	vs	Venue	Date
	26	27	England	Auckland	March 25, 1955
	30	19	England	Port Elizabeth	February 13, 1896
	30	13	England	Birmingham	June 14, 1924
	35	23	England	Cape Town	April 1, 1899
	36	24	Australia	Melbourne	February 12,1932
	36	23	England	Birmingham	May 29, 1902
	42	39	Australia	Wellington	March 29, 1946
	42	38	England	Sidney	February 10, 1888
	42	17	England	Lord's	June 20, 1974
	43	29	England	Cape Town	March 25, 1889
	44	26	England	The Oval	August 10, 1896
	45	32	Australia	Melbourne	February 12, 1932
	45	36	Australia	Sidney	January 28, 1887
	45	19	South Africa	Cape Town	January 2, 2013
	46	19	West Indies	Port of Spain	March 25, 1994
	47	33	England	Lord's	June 19, 1958
	47	47	England	Cape Town	March 25, 1889
	47	26	England	Kingston	March 11, 2004
	47	18	South Africa	Cape Town	November 9, 2011