Netherlands hits the bottom - bowled out for 39 ~ the other lowests !

Those of us in the habit of seeing every match – be it – not featuring India too, were surprised when they tuned in late yesterday … for the match lasted only 93 balls … yes Netherlands were all out for 39 in 10.3 overs – their scorecard read : 0;0;1;16;0;8;4;1;3;0;0.. Lankans were in a hurry recording the  fastest ever victory in a T20 International.

Sri Lanka’s win at Chittagong is the largest margin of victory in terms of balls remaining as they overhauled the target — by reaching 40 for one — with 15 overs to spare. The previous largest margin of victory in terms of balls remaining was Ireland’s 10-wicket victory over Kenya at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in March 2012, which was achieved with 76 ball (12.4 overs) to spare. For Netherlands  Tom Copper  was the top scorer, the only batsman who reached double figures.  Remember Dutch had stormed in to the Super 10 with a great victory.

The top 5 (or the low 5) prior to this are : Kenya 56 against Afghan in Sept 13; Kenya 67 against Ireland Aug 2008; Ireland 68 V West Indies Apr 2010; Hongkong 69 against Nepal in Mar 2014; Bermuda 70 Vs Canada in Aug 2008.   India’s lowest is 74 made at Melbourne in 2008 against Australia. Coming as it did months after crowning glory in T20 WC, it shocked everyone as Indians scraped past the lowest of 73 at that time.

Digging into records, one would be surprised to note that the lowest in T20 is higher than the lowest in ODI, which again is higher that the lowest in an innings in Test Cricket. 

In Test Cricket – the lowest total is New Zealand’s 26 in Mar 1955 made at Auckland against England in Test 402; South Africa had been shot out for 30 twice once in Feb 1896 and later in June 1924;  next is South Africa’s 35 V England in Apr 1899 and again by the same South Africa 36 in Feb 1932.   Next is ‘42’ – of New Zealand in Mar 1946; Australia in Feb 1888 and Indian’s dismal show at Lords in June 1974 when they were bowled out in 17 overs.  

At Eden Park in 1955, Len Hutton's team finished their triumphant tour by setting up a world record – dismissing  New Zealand in the second innings for 26, the lowest total in the history of Test cricket.  In that 2nd innings only B Sutcliffe the opener made 11; there were 5 zeroes.  Tyson took 2; Statham took 3 – Appleyard took 4 for 7 in 6 overs. 

Long before Dhoni, Ajit Wadekar had taken India to newer heights with Series win over West Indies and England (on tours) – but sadly that tour of 1974 was a disaster…. It is reported that India reached there in a bitterly cold England in April as the leading side in the world. In the previous three years they had won series in the Caribbean and England, and then defeated England at home. Their superb quartet of spinners (Bishan Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna and Venkat) backed by some top batsmen (Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Gundappa Viswanath) made them a formidable team, albeit one lacking any real seam prowess. Ten of India's 12 three-day warm-up matches were drawn, largely because of what Wisden described as "outrageously unkind" cold, wet weather, which was a hallmark of the summer. Against Essex and Surrey, the tourists won with Abid ali taking wickets.  

In the first Test, at a damp and chilly Old Trafford, India lost by 113 runs.  The ignominy was complete in that Test no. 740 played at Lords in June 1974.  England piled up  629  - with Dennis Amiss scoring 188; John Edrich 96; Mike Denness 118 and Antony William Greig scoring 106.  The bowling card would put Indian bowlers to shame :  Abid ali 22-2-79-2; Madanlal 30-6-93-0; Chandra 9.3-1-33/0; Prasanna 51-6-166-2 and Bishan Singh Bedi 64.2-8-226-6

Indians started soundly with a century partnership between Sunil Gavaskar (46) and Farokh Engineer (86) – the first wicket falling at 131 was no indicator of the things to come; Gundappa Vishwanath made 52; Eknath Solkar, the brilliant fielder made 43 and Indians were all out for 302.   Indians following on suffered their worst being all out for ‘42’ (technically for 9 as Chandra was absent hurt) – Only Solkar reached double figures with 18 and remained unbeaten.   Arnold had figures of 8-1-19-4; while Chris Old had 8-3-21-5.

photo credit : cricinfo.com 

In One dayers the lowest ever is Zimbabwe’s 35 against Sri Lanka at Harare in Apr 2004; earlier it was Canada’s 36 against Lanka at Paarl in 2003 World Cup.  Next comes Zimbabwe’s 38 against Lanka at Colombo in Dec 2001; Srilanka against SA in Jan 2012 and Pak against WI in Feb 1993 had been all out for 43.  India’s lowest in ODI is 54 against Lanka at Sharjah in Oct 2000 where India lost by a huge margin.   In that lowest performance of Zimbabwe – 35 in 2004, Chaminda Vaas took 4 for 11 and took his tally to 300 wickets in ODI.

Records are meant to be broken – sure Teams would like to forget their ignominies.  

With regards –S. Sampathkumar