Worst team totals in County Championship, division one, history – listing the lowest of lows
In favourable bowling conditions, it can be a nightmare for batting sides to make meaningful runs with a swinging Dukes ball, there have been several meteoric collapses.
From Kent’s record collapse to Charlie Shreck’s masterclass at Trent Bridge, these matches saw the bowlers taking control and making life impossible for the batters.
So here are the lowest Division One innings scores in the history of the County Championship.
=9. Essex – 59 all out in 2022
Essex’s 2022 struggles were apparent as they were dismissed for just 59 runs in 22.2 overs in their fourth innings.
Lancashire’s seamer, George Balderson, played a crucial role in his side’s dominance with the ball.
Essex suffered a poor run of games with no batters able to withstand the Lancashire onslaught.
=9. Kent – 59 all out in 2019
Kent were bowled out for 59 runs in 26.1 overs in their third innings against Somerset.
Somerset’s Lewis Gregory took five wickets for just 21 runs, ensuring Kent could never get settled in ideal off-spinning conditions.
The result was a defeat for Kent at Canterbury, with Somerset’s bowlers taking full control.
=9. Nottinghamshire – 59 all out in 2010
Nottinghamshire were dismissed for 59 runs in just over 33 overs, with Yorkshire’s bowlers putting in a clinical performance that ripped the home side apart.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby played a pivotal role with the ball, helping Yorkshire bowl out Notts cheaply.
Yorkshire made the most of their opposition’s failure and secured an important away victory at Trent Bridge.
Also read: Most wickets in County Championship, division one, 2024
6. Hampshire – 57 all out in 2022
Hampshire’s batting woes were evident as they were bowled out for 57 runs in just 16.5 overs by Kent.
Kent’s Matt Quinn took six wickets as Hampshire fell short in this low-scoring encounter in Southampton despite Kent nearly letting them back in the game.
5. Northamptonshire – 56 all out in 2023
Northamptonshire could only manage 56 runs in their second innings and only lasted 30 overs in the middle, as Hampshire’s bowlers dominated the proceedings.
Keith Barker’s superb four-wicket haul for just 13 runs left Northants crestfallen with any hope of a victory swept away.
Inevitably, it was a significant innings loss for Northants at the Utilita Bowl.
=4. Somerset – 50 all out in 2011
Somerset’s innings was over quickly, with the team being bowled out for 50 runs and well inside the morning session – 14.4 overs to be exact!
Warwickshire’s bowlers, spearheaded by Rikki Clarke and Chris Woakes, capitalised on the conditions to send Somerset back to the sheds embarrassingly early.
The result was a devastating defeat in front of a shocked crowd in Taunton.
=4. Yorkshire – 50 runs all out in 2018
Yorkshire’s batsmen couldn’t get going against Essex, falling for just 50 runs in their first innings at Chelmsford.
Essex’s Sam Cook was the star, taking five wickets for 28 runs and dismantling Yorkshire’s line-up.
It was a crushing loss for Yorkshire in a game dominated by Essex’s deep bowling attack.
2. Middlesex – 49 all out in 2006
Middlesex’s batting line-up was undone by Nottinghamshire’s pace attack, with Charlie Shreck leading the way.
Shreck took eight wickets for 31 runs, leaving Middlesex all out for 49 in their third innings and the game all but over.
It ended in a heavy defeat for Middlesex in this one-sided contest In Shreck’s Trent Bridge theatre in England.
1. Kent – 40 all out in 2019
Kent were dismissed for just 40 runs in 18.1 overs in their third innings, a record-breaking outing at Canterbury for all the wrong reasons.
Essex’s Sam Cook was the standout performer, taking seven wickets for 23 runs, as Kent crumbled under pressure.
A decimated Kent earned themselves the most unwanted memory in the Division One archives.
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