Duck is a term referring to a batter getting out without opening their run account in an inning, and it is every cricketer’s nightmare. While it does not do a batter’s confidence and form any good, the phenomenon of multiple ducks in innings highlights teams’ struggles. Over the years, there have been instances of teams getting bundled thanks to many of their batters getting out without scoring a single run.
In this article, we will discuss the times when a team had the most number of ducks in a single innings of a Test match.
Most Ducks by Teams in a Test Innings
| Team | Ducks | Against | Venue | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 7 | vs Australia | Kingston | 12 Jul 2025 |
| Bangladesh | 6 | vs Sri Lanka | Mirpur | 23 May 2022 |
| Pakistan | 6 | vs West Indies | Karachi | 22 Dec 1980 |
| India | 6 | vs South Africa | Cape Town | 3 Jan 2024 |
| Bangladesh | 6 | vs West Indies | North Sound | 16 Jun 2022 |
| England | 6 | vs India | Birmingham | 2 Jul 2025 |
| New Zealand | 6 | vs Pakistan | Dubai (DICS) | 24 Nov 2018 |
| India | 6 | vs England | Manchester | 7 Aug 2014 |
| Bangladesh | 6 | vs West Indies | Dhaka | 8 Dec 2002 |
| South Africa | 6 | vs India | Ahmedabad | 20 Nov 1996 |
| Zimbabwe | 5 | vs New Zealand | Harare | 7 Aug 2005 |
| India | 5 | vs New Zealand | Mohali | 10 Oct 1999 |
| West Indies | 5 | vs England | Leeds | 17 Aug 2000 |
| West Indies | 5 | vs Australia | Brisbane | 23 Nov 2000 |
| Pakistan | 5 | vs New Zealand | Hamilton | 27 Mar 2001 |
Key Insights
The West Indies became the first team to lose seven batters for ducks in a single Test innings. This unfortunate incident unfolded in the fourth innings of the day-night Kingston Test against Australia in 2025.
As a result, the Caribbean side slumped to 27 all out, their lowest total in the longest format. This is also the second-lowest innings score by any Test team, behind New Zealand’s 26 all out.
Across both innings of the Test, the West Indies logged eight ducks (one in the second innings), the joint-second most by a team. And Australia had three ducks across both their innings, which combined to 11 ducks in the match, the joint-most by both teams in a single Test.
Before the Caribbean sides’ record, nine times teams lost six batters for ducks in an innings. Three of those instances belong to Bangladesh, the most by a team.
Except for Ireland, other Test teams have earned five or more ducks in at least one innings. Among them, the West Indies have logged nine instances, the most by a team.
Seven of the West Indies’ instances have come in away conditions, the most by a Test team. Bangladesh and England, though, have three instances each at home.
2024 recorded four instances of five or more batters scoring ducks in a single Test innings, the most in a calendar year.
Check: Batters with Most Consecutive 100s in Tests
