Highest Score in ODI

From the euphoric heights of run fests to the strategic battles fought on the pitch, ODIs have witnessed some remarkable displays of batting prowess throughout history. As we delve into the annals of this enthralling sport, we explore the top 10 teams with the highest score in ODI. These towering achievements encapsulate the relentless pursuit of excellence, showcasing the power, finesse, and sheer brilliance that define cricket’s most celebrated encounters. Keep reading to find out the highest ODI score by a team.

Let us embark on a journey through the exhilarating moments that have etched their mark in the history of ODI cricket, where batsmen redefined the boundaries of possibility and teams carved their names into cricketing folklore. Here is the list of teams with the Highest score in ODI:

Highest Score in ODI by Team

1. England’s 498/4 against the Netherlands:

England currently holds the record for the highest score in ODI. The World Cup winners were facing a timid Netherlands team on 17th June 2022. Having been asked to bat first by their opponents, England lost Jason Roy early in the second over itself. However, centuries by Phil Salt, Dawid Malan, and Jos Buttler put the visitors in a commanding position. 

Liam Livingstone put the final nail in the coffin with his 22-ball cameo. Buttler emerged as the top scorer with 162 runs in 70 balls. In response, the Netherlands could only accumulate 266 runs in 49.4 overs as England eventually ended up winning the game by a whopping 232 runs. Buttler got the ‘Player of the Match’ for his amazing inning. 

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2. England’s 481/6 against Australia: 

The 2nd highest ODI score by a team is also held by the England National Cricket team. This was an important game for England’s World Cup preparation. It was the third game of a 5-match ODI series, and England were already leading the series 2-0. A win in this game would have sealed the series for them. Winning the toss, Australia had urged the hosts to bat first at Nottingham. England was off to a dream start as their openers put up a partnership of 159 in 19.3 overs, setting up the tone for their innings. Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales did most of the damage, scoring big hundreds. 

The final blow was delivered by England’s captain Eoin Morgan who blasted 67 runs off 30 balls to finish off the innings for England. Thanks to a 5-wicket haul, England were able to restrict the mighty Aussies to just 239 runs in 37 overs, eventually winning the game by a mammoth total of 242 runs. England continued their domination and won that 5-match ODI series by 5-0, completely whitewashing the kangaroos. 

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3. England’s 444/3 against Pakistan: 

England also holds the 3rd highest score in ODI. Making an appearance for the third consecutive time on this list is England, who have had a rather dominating tenure in ODI cricket in the last decade or so. However, a few more names are also making a comeback in the list. The match was in Nottingham, and England had decided to bat first after winning the toss. Jason Roy once again fell early in the 6th over, but Alex Hales had some other plans in mind. 

Hales’ 171, paired up with the fifties by Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and skipper Eoin Morgan put England in a commanding position as they scored 444 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, making it the then-highest team score in ODIs. England’s bowlers, led by Chris Woakes, put up a great performance to restrict Pakistan to just 275 runs in 42.4 overs, helping them register another heavy win. 

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4. Sri Lanka’s 443/9 against the Netherlands:

Sri Lanka may have had their rough patches in the cricketing journey, but the team was once glorified with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene Lasith Malinga, etc. This is a story of the time when all of these played together for the Sri Lankan Team. It was the first game of Sri Lanka’s tour to the Netherlands, and the Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya had decided to bat first to show his dominance against a timid Netherlands team. 

Big hundreds by opener Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan in the middle order propelled Sri Lanka to a massive total of 443 runs, making it the highest score in ODI cricket history for about a decade. Furthermore, a collective effort from Sri Lanka’s bowling unit bowled the Netherlands out for 248 runs in 48.3 overs, leading them to a victory by 195 runs. 

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5. South Africa’s 439/2 against West Indies: 

This game is not just remembered for South Africa’s blistering total against the West Indies but also for a cracking batting performance by AB de Villiers. The visitors, West Indies, won the toss at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and asked South Africa to bat first. In what turned out to be a nightmare of a decision, South Africa’s top 3 scored big hundreds to completely thrash the spirit of West Indies. 

Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw set up the tone with 153 and 128, respectively, but it was AB de Villiers who stole the show. AB scored a 31-ball hundred and eventually got out on 149 runs off 44 balls, marking one of the greatest innings by a batter in ODIs. This propelled South Africa’s run tally to 439 runs, making it one of the highest ODI scores by a team. In reply, West Indies could only score 291 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs, handing over South Africa a win by 148 runs. 

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6. South Africa’s 438/9 against Australia: 

Featuring once again on the list is South Africa, who were only the second team in the history of ODIs to score more than 400 runs. However, the first 400 plus highest team total was also made in this very game. Batting first, Australia had made 434 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, and chasing this down almost seemed impossible. 

But, Herschelle Gibbs had some other plans in mind. Losing Boeta Dippenar early on in the innings, the responsibility fell on captain Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, who came one down for the team. A daddy-hundred from Gibbs and hefty contributions by Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, and Johan van der Wath ensured South Africa chased the total with 1 ball to spare, making it the highest ODI score by a team back them. However, the record was broken by Sri Lanka just a few months later. 

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7. South Africa’s 438/4 against India: 

South Africa had traveled to India for a long tour comprising of 4 tests, 3 T20 internationals, and 5 ODIs. The ODI series was tied at 2-2, and the two teams moved to the iconic Wankhede Stadium for the decider. South Africa won the toss, and their captain AB de Villiers decided to bat first, thinking that it would be better to put the pressure upfront on the hosts in order to have a chance at victory. Opening the innings, Quinton de Kock laid the foundation for a huge total with his century. 

He was equally supported by Faf du Plessis and captain AB de Villiers as the duo scored centuries as well. However, AB’s century was special yet again because he scored 119 runs in just 61 balls. South Africa propelled to a hefty total of 438 runs in 50 overs, making it the 7th highest ODI score by a team in ODI history. Two amazing bowling spells by Kagiso Rabada and veteran Dale Steyn put the visitors on top as they restricted India to just 224 runs in 36 overs, eventually getting their team to come out on top. 

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8. Australia’s 434/4 against South Africa: 

Australia’s remarkable innings of 434/4 against South Africa in 2006 stands as one of the most extraordinary displays of batting prowess, as it was the first total of 400 plus in ODI cricket history. In what was a thrilling One-Day International (ODI) encounter, Australia’s top-order batsmen unleashed a relentless assault on the South African bowling attack. Led by the dynamic Ricky Ponting, who scored a scintillating 164 off just 105 deliveries, the Australian batsmen showcased an array of strokes that left the opposition gasping for respite. 

Adam Gilchrist played a breathtaking inning of 55 from 34 balls, while Simon Katich contributed a solid 79 to the monumental total. The sheer magnitude of Australia’s run-scoring spree surpassed all expectations, with the team shattering the previous record for the highest score in ODI total. This extraordinary feat not only demonstrated Australia’s dominance in world cricket at the time but also left an indelible mark on the annals of the sport, cementing their legacy as one of the most formidable batting line-ups ever assembled. However, in an incredible display of determination and skill, South Africa embarked on a historic chase as they finished with an astonishing 438/9, making it the highest successful run chase in ODI history. 

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9. South Africa’s 418/5 against Zimbabwe: 

In a thrilling cricket encounter between South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2006, South Africa’s batting prowess was on full display as they amassed a mammoth total of 418 runs for the loss of five wickets. It was a record-breaking performance that showcased the dominance of the South African batsmen. Led by the dynamic opening pair of Alviro Petersen and Loots Bosman, who set the tone with a blistering partnership, the Proteas unleashed a relentless assault on the Zimbabwean bowlers.

Fifty from Jacques Kallis and a quickfire hundred by Mark Boucher further bolstered South Africa’s innings, leaving the Zimbabwean fielders and bowlers helpless. Despite their best efforts, Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught and create breakthroughs. In response, Zimbabwe put up a spirited fight with their innings but fell short of the monumental target, eventually reaching 247 runs in 50 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. 

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10. India’s 418/5 against West Indies: 

One of the most iconic matches in ODI history took place between India and the West Indies in 2011, when India’s batting prowess reached unparalleled heights. India recorded a staggering total of 418 runs for the loss of five wickets, setting a new record for the team’s highest score in ODI cricket, which still remains intact. The standout performer of the match was Virender Sehwag, who etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to score a double century in ODIs, amassing a breathtaking 219 runs. Sehwag’s explosive innings included an array of boundaries and sixes that left the West Indies bowlers shell-shocked.

Alongside Sehwag, contributions from Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina and cameos by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bolstered India’s innings as they mercilessly tore apart the opposition’s bowling attack. In response, West Indies could only reach 265 runs before being bowled out in 49.2 overs. 

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