5 lowest totals in Test cricket this decade

Australia (47) v South Africa, 2011

Vernon Philander's five-for sunk Australia in Cape Town

Numbers don’t always tell you the story and it certainly didn’t when South Africa clinched an 8-wicket win at Cape Town against the Australia. Put in to bat first, Australia rode on Michael Clarke’s 151 to post 284 on the board. In response, the Proteas were left wanting. A five-for to Shane Watson and one less to Ryan Harris rolled out the hosts for mere 96 runs.

As one would guess, the visitors were in the driving seat. But what happened next was the least expected. Vernon Philander struck five times as Australia’s scorecard wore a string of single-digit scores.

They were skittled out for 47 and watchful hundreds from Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla ensured no further hiccups as the 195-run stand between the two shut out the opposition, chasing down 236 to end the game in less than two and half days.