The fourth match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between South Africa Women and England Women ended in a disastrous way for the former, collapsing to their 2nd lowest team total at World Cups.
The match saw early dismissals, with a total of 34.5 overs played. South Africa started the innings with the bat first, but things went out of hand with the team bundling out for 69 in 20.4 overs. The top order went into a downfall with 22 runs scored from five batters. Sinalo Jafta was the high scorer with 22 runs off 36 balls. The other 17 runs were conceded by the other five batters.
For England Women, it was the opening batters that took control of the second innings. Tammy Beaumont (21* off 35) and Amy Jones (40* off 50) completed the run chase, scoring 73 runs in 14.1 overs. Interestingly, South Africa’s 69 doesn’t rank in 5 lowest totals in World Cup history, with several batting collapses and nightmares witnessed over the editions.
Pakistan – 27/10 (vs Australia), 1997
The 13th match of the 1997 Women’s World Cup between Pakistan Women and Australia Women, held at Hyderabad on December 14, saw the lowest-ever team total. Pakistan Women ended the first innings at 27 all-out in 13.4 overs. 6 Pakistan batters were dismissed for ducks and tailender Kiran Ahtazaz (11*) was the highest scorer for Pakistan. Australia chased down the target in 6.1 overs with one wicket down.
Netherlands – 29/10 (vs Australia), 1988
The curtain raiser of the 1988 Women’s World Cup between Australia and the Netherlands saw the second lowest total of the tournament. Australia took the first innings by storm, scoring a target of 284 runs in 60 overs with just one wicket down. Lindsay Reeler and Ruth Buckstein both scored centuries, 143* and 100 respectively. When it came for the Netherlands to bat, they lost as many as 6 batters on nought and 12 and 8 the other best scores.
India – 37/10 (vs New Zealand), 1982
The 6th match of the 1982 Women’s World Cup witnessed the then lowest-ever total of 37 runs by India Women against New Zealand Women. New Zealand scored just 80 runs in the first innings, however, in reply the Indian lineup failed in their attempt, being bundled out for 37 runs in 35th overs. Rajeshwari Dholakia (10*) was the only batter to enter into double digits.
Netherlands – 40/10 (vs New Zealand), 1993
The 16th match of the 1993 Women’s World Cup saw the Netherlands bowled out for 40 runs in 54.2 overs, with 4 batters registering ducks and only Ariette van Noortwijk entered double digits, scoring 22 runs. New Zealand in reply chased down the target in 13.2 overs and registered a 10-wicket win with openers Penny Kinsella and Debbie Hockley remaining unbeaten on 24 and 13 respectively.
Denmark – 47/10 (vs England), 1993
The 2nd match of the 1993 Women’s World Cup saw Denmark record the then third lowest team total of the tournament. England Women scored a thrilling target of 286 runs in the first innings, with Janette Brittin scoring a century (104) and fellow opener Helen Plimmer (77) and Barbara Daniels (60*) top scoring. Denmark in reply crumbled, but as many as seven batters departed for a duck, with Trine Christiansen (23) the only to enter double digits, top scoring in a heavy defeat.
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