Lowest Team Scores in Cricket World Cup History

The Men's ODI Cricket World Cup has produced famous centuries, huge totals and dramatic run chases, but it has also witnessed some remarkable batting collapses. Conditions, scoreboard pressure and outstanding bowling have occasionally combined to leave international teams with totals that remain among the lowest in tournament history.

Canada hold the record for the lowest team score in ODI World Cup history after being bowled out for just 36 by Sri Lanka in 2003. Canada also occupy second place with 45 against England in 1979, while Namibia were dismissed for the same score against Australia in 2003. ICC tournament records confirm those three totals as the lowest in World Cup history before the 2023 edition.

The latest addition near the top came in 2023, when India bowled Sri Lanka out for only 55 at the Wankhede Stadium. It became the lowest World Cup total by a Full Member nation and the fourth-lowest overall.

Lowest Team Scores in ODI Cricket World Cup History

Canada's 36 remains the benchmark for a World Cup batting collapse. Sri Lanka's 55 in 2023 is the lowest total by a Test-playing Full Member nation, while West Indies' 93 against Kenya in 1996 is one of the most famous low scores because it came in a major upset.

Top 5 Lowest World Cup Totals in Detail

1. Canada – 36 vs Sri Lanka, 2003

Canada were bowled out for 36 in 18.4 overs at Paarl, the lowest team total in Men's ODI World Cup history. Sri Lanka's bowlers completely overwhelmed the Canadian batting line-up, with Prabath Nissanka taking four wickets.

Sri Lanka required little time to complete the chase and won by nine wickets. Canada's 36 has remained at the bottom of the World Cup totals list ever since.

2. Canada – 45 vs England, 1979

Canada were dismissed for 45 against England at Manchester during the 1979 World Cup.

The innings lasted 40.3 overs, which shows how different ODI batting was during the 60-over era. England comfortably chased the small target, and Canada's 45 remained the World Cup's lowest total until their own 36 in 2003.

3. Namibia – 45 vs Australia, 2003

Namibia equalled Canada's 45 when Australia bowled them out in only 14 overs at Potchefstroom.

Glenn McGrath produced one of the greatest bowling spells in World Cup history, taking 7/15 as Namibia collapsed while chasing Australia's 301/6. Australia won by 256 runs.

4. Sri Lanka – 55 vs India, 2023

Sri Lanka were dismissed for 55 in 19.4 overs while chasing India's 357/8 at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mohammed Shami took 5/18, Mohammed Siraj claimed three wickets and Jasprit Bumrah struck with the first ball of the innings. India won by 302 runs, and Sri Lanka's 55 became the lowest World Cup score by a Full Member nation.

5. Bangladesh – 58 vs West Indies, 2011

Bangladesh were bowled out for 58 in 18.5 overs at Mirpur against West Indies.

The hosts never recovered after losing early wickets, and West Indies completed a nine-wicket victory. The 58 remains Bangladesh's lowest total in Men's ODI World Cup history.

Lowest Team Score in Each Cricket World Cup Edition

The lowest total has varied considerably from one World Cup to another. Several early tournaments produced relatively few sub-100 scores, while editions involving more Associate nations generated some of the lowest totals in the record books.

Australia's 129 against India was the lowest total of the 1983 tournament. India bowled them out while defending 247 at Chelmsford, winning by 118 runs.

Zimbabwe registered the lowest score of the 1987 tournament with 135 against India at the Wankhede Stadium. India chased the target with eight wickets remaining.

Records and Highlights

Canada Hold the All-Time Lowest Score

Canada's 36 against Sri Lanka in 2003 is still the lowest total in Men's ODI World Cup history.

It is nine runs lower than the joint-second-lowest total of 45, recorded by Canada in 1979 and Namibia in 2003.

Canada Appear Twice in the Top Two Positions

Canada are responsible for two of the three lowest scores ever recorded at a World Cup:

Their two collapses occurred 24 years apart.

Namibia Were Bowled Out in Only 14 Overs

Namibia's 45 against Australia came from only 14 overs, making it one of the fastest major batting collapses in World Cup history.

McGrath's 7/15 was the central reason, with Australia eventually winning by 256 runs.

Sri Lanka Hold the Lowest Total by a Full Member

Sri Lanka's 55 against India in 2023 is the lowest World Cup score recorded by a Full Member team.

Before that match, Bangladesh's 58 against West Indies in 2011 was the lowest total by a Test-playing nation.

Three Teams Were Bowled Out for Under 100 in 2023

The 2023 World Cup added several low totals to the historical list:

• Sri Lanka – 55 vs India
• South Africa – 83 vs India
• Netherlands – 90 vs Australia

Sri Lanka's collapse came in a 302-run defeat, while South Africa's 83 was recorded after India made 326/5 at Eden Gardens.

Bangladesh Have Two Totals Below 80

Bangladesh were dismissed for 58 against West Indies and 78 against South Africa, both during the 2011 World Cup.

That makes them one of the few teams to suffer two sub-80 totals in the same edition.

The 2003 World Cup Produced the Two Lowest Scores

The 2003 tournament saw Canada dismissed for 36 and Namibia for 45.

It also produced Namibia's 84 against Pakistan, Kenya's 104 against West Indies and several other low totals, making it one of the most collapse-heavy World Cups.

West Indies' 93 Produced a Historic Upset

West Indies were bowled out for 93 while chasing Kenya's 166 in 1996.

Kenya won by 73 runs in Pune, producing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. It remains the lowest World Cup total by West Indies.

Australia Have Never Been Bowled Out for Under 100

Australia's lowest World Cup total is 129 against India in 1983.

Despite playing in every edition through 2023, the six-time champions have never been dismissed for fewer than 100 runs in a Men's ODI World Cup.

India's Lowest World Cup Score Is 125

India's lowest World Cup total is 125 against Australia at Centurion in 2003.

India nevertheless recovered from that early tournament defeat to reach the final, where they again faced Australia.

FAQs

What is the lowest team score in ODI World Cup history?

Canada's 36 against Sri Lanka in 2003 is the lowest team total in Men's ODI Cricket World Cup history.

What is the lowest World Cup score by a Full Member team?

Sri Lanka's 55 against India in 2023 is the lowest score by a Full Member nation in Men's ODI World Cup history.

What is India's lowest score in ODI World Cup history?

India's lowest World Cup total is 125 against Australia in 2003 at Centurion.

What is Australia's lowest score in Cricket World Cup history?

Australia's lowest World Cup total is 129 against India in 1983 at Chelmsford. India won that match by 118 runs.