Ashes Lowest Total Defended

Last Modified Jul 19, 2019 18:39 IST

The Ashes series began in the 1882/83 season in Australia. Since then, there have been many great bowling performances. They are needed especially in the fourth innings of a Test match in order to save a defeat and try to win the match.

Here is a list of the lowest totals defended in an Ashes Test:

List of Ashes Lowest Total Defended :

S. No.TeamVenueTotal defendedAshes series
1AustraliaLondon (KO)851882
2EnglandSydney1111887/88
3EnglandLondon (KO)1111896
4AustraliaLondon (Lord's)1241888
5AustraliaManchester1241902
6EnglandLondon (KO)1241997
7EnglandHeadingley1301981

There have been seven such occasions when a team has lost while trying to chase a target of 150 or less in the fourth innings. England have won four of those while the Aussies won three.

The lowest ever total defended in an Ashes Test was in the first-ever Ashes Test in 1882. Australia defended a target of a mere 85 runs as they bundled out the English side for just 77. Fred Spofforth took 7 wickets in the second innings to add to his 7 in the first and win the match for Australia by 7 runs.

Interestingly, four of these matches were played in London and only one was played in Australia. None of the teams have managed to defend less than 150 in the 21st century.

Related Stories

Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to India's series defeat after AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI ft. Irfan Pathan Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to India's series defeat after AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI ft. Irfan Pathan
Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to India's series defeat after AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI ft. Irfan Pathan
Who is Jack Edwards? 5 interesting facts about uncapped Australia all-rounder called up for AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI Who is Jack Edwards? 5 interesting facts about uncapped Australia all-rounder called up for AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
Who is Jack Edwards? 5 interesting facts about uncapped Australia all-rounder called up for AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
"Choose only 2 out of these 3" - Former CSK spinner criticizes Team India's selection after loss in AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI "Choose only 2 out of these 3" - Former CSK spinner criticizes Team India's selection after loss in AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI
"Choose only 2 out of these 3" - Former CSK spinner criticizes Team India's selection after loss in AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI
Top 4 experts who slammed Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from India A squad for South Africa series ft. Sunil Gavaskar Top 4 experts who slammed Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from India A squad for South Africa series ft. Sunil Gavaskar
Top 4 experts who slammed Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from India A squad for South Africa series ft. Sunil Gavaskar
AUS vs IND 2025, 2nd ODI: India Player Ratings as Men in Blue suffer disappointing series loss in Adelaide AUS vs IND 2025, 2nd ODI: India Player Ratings as Men in Blue suffer disappointing series loss in Adelaide
AUS vs IND 2025, 2nd ODI: India Player Ratings as Men in Blue suffer disappointing series loss in Adelaide
"The smile showed that a lot had happened in the past" - Irfan Pathan lauds Harshit Rana's spell in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI "The smile showed that a lot had happened in the past" - Irfan Pathan lauds Harshit Rana's spell in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
"The smile showed that a lot had happened in the past" - Irfan Pathan lauds Harshit Rana's spell in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
1d
"Harshit Rana apology form is available online now" - Twitter goes berserk as young pacer rattles Australia with 4-fer in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI "Harshit Rana apology form is available online now" - Twitter goes berserk as young pacer rattles Australia with 4-fer in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
"Harshit Rana apology form is available online now" - Twitter goes berserk as young pacer rattles Australia with 4-fer in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI
1d
Virat Kohli hits cheeky boundary to finish on 74 as India win AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI by 9 wickets [Watch] Virat Kohli hits cheeky boundary to finish on 74 as India win AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI by 9 wickets [Watch]
Virat Kohli hits cheeky boundary to finish on 74 as India win AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI by 9 wickets [Watch]
1d
"We can't become local trains" - Irfan Pathan's big statement on Men in Blue losing AUS vs IND 2025 ODI series "We can't become local trains" - Irfan Pathan's big statement on Men in Blue losing AUS vs IND 2025 ODI series
"We can't become local trains" - Irfan Pathan's big statement on Men in Blue losing AUS vs IND 2025 ODI series
"Virat Kohli won't announce retirement" - Former batter's huge claim after India star acknowledges Adelaide crowd during AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI "Virat Kohli won't announce retirement" - Former batter's huge claim after India star acknowledges Adelaide crowd during AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI
"Virat Kohli won't announce retirement" - Former batter's huge claim after India star acknowledges Adelaide crowd during AUS vs IND 2025 2nd ODI
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications