Top 10 highest scores by teams in history of ODI format

Cricket is more than just a sport in multiple nations where people celebrate it like a festival. Players also give their all to entertain the viewers while they also make sure that their team win the match. Records are made and broken with each passing game. One of the most coveted achievements for any cricketing nation is to score the highest team total in an ODI match. 

Over the years, teams have displayed remarkable batting prowess, achieving astonishing totals that leave fans in awe. In this article, we’ll take a look into the top 10 highest ODI team scores, showcasing the extraordinary moments when the willow dominated the leather.

1. England – 498/4 vs Netherlands (2022)

England’s batters always proved how destructive and lethal they can be when it comes to putting runs on the scoreboard. They showcased their batting ability in an ODI match against the Netherlands on 17 June 2022 where they scored a total of 498 runs which is the highest total by any team in the history of the ODI format.

2. England – 481/6 vs. Australia (2018)

As we said earlier, England, known for their aggressive batting, set the record for the highest ODI total in June 2018. They decimated the Australian bowling attack with incredible performances from Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales’s incredible batting performance which helped the team to put 481 runs on the scoreboard.

3. England – 444/3 vs. Pakistan (2016)

England’s love affair with high-scoring games continued in 2016 when they amassed 444 runs against Pakistan. Jos Buttler’s explosive century was the highlight of this record-breaking innings. This shows that there is no team which is more aggressive than the English side.

4. Sri Lanka – 443/9 vs. Netherlands (2006)

In a match against the Netherlands, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup fired on all cylinders to post a mammoth total. Former legendary cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene led the charge with their brilliant centuries and set the foundation for a massive total. Sri Lanka ended up scoring 443 runs in the first innings which is still the 4th highest total ever by any team in ODI.

5. South Africa – 439/2 vs. West Indies (2015)

South Africa has been a powerhouse in ODI cricket, and in 2015, they showcased their batting might against the West Indies. Rilee Rossouw and former legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers played stellar innings to secure this record. De Villiers was dealing with the boundaries only leaving the fans stunned. The Proteas scored 439 runs after losing only 2 wickets.

6. South Africa – 438/9 vs. Australia (2006)

In a breathtaking encounter, South Africa chased down Australia’s 434 to win the match. Martin Guptill’s 180 not out was the standout performance in this epic clash. This is still the highest successful chase in the history of ODI cricket and the record is also very difficult to break.

7. South Africa – 438/4 vs. India (2015)

The Proteas produced a one-sided performance in an ODI match against India in 2015 where they scored a massive total of 438 runs in the first innings with the help of brilliant centuries by Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and de Villers. They won the match by a huge margin of 214 runs.

8. Australia – 434/4 vs. South Africa (2006)

In a match that set the stage for high-scoring ODIs, Australia displayed a brilliant batting performance and scored a total of 434 runs in the first innings. Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson played exceptional innings in this memorable encounter. However, the target wasn’t enough for the bowlers to defend as South Africa chased down it surprisingly.

9. South Africa – 419/5 vs. Zimbabwe (2006)

South Africa’s 4th appearance in the list is enough to tell how dominating has been their batting lineup over the years in ODI cricket. Mark Boucher displayed a magnificent batting display against Zimbabwe in 2006 and helped the team achieve a total of 419 runs. 

10. India – 418/5 vs. West Indies (2011)

In a match that featured a masterclass from the Nawab of Najafgarh, Virender Sehwag, India piled up 418 runs against the West Indies. Sehwag’s 219-run knock was a remarkable individual achievement due to which India were able to score a massive total.