3 teams with most 300-plus scores in ODIs
Gone are the days when a 300-plus score in an ODI guaranteed victory.
Twenty years ago, a total of over 300 runs on the board would have delighted fans. Before that, even when ODIs were 60 overs a side, a score between 270 and 280 was regarded as a winning total.
However, with the advent of smaller grounds, bigger bats, and the sport becoming a game of batters, teams going past six runs in an over became a familiar sight. Moreover, even a score of 400 was made to look easy by freakish talents like Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, Sanath Jayasuriya, and AB de Villiers.
A total of 300 or more is no longer considered a secure first innings total. In ODIs, chases of more than 300 have become frequent. To the dismay of bowlers around the world, batters have discovered innovative ways to get runs while making batting appear quite simple.
England were the first team to notch up a 300-plus score in a one-day game. It was against India at Lord's when the home team scored 334/4 in the first game of the 1975 Prudential World Cup.
On that note, let's take a look at the three most successful teams scoring 300+ run scores in ODI matches.
#3 South Africa - 87 times
Considering South Africa were only reinstated as a Test-playing nation by the ICC in 1991, it’s admirable that they are on this list. They played their first-ever ODI against India at the Eden in Kolkata in November of that year.
The Protea unit has gone past the 300-run mark 87 times. They were tied with Pakistan at 86 for some time. However, South Africa's latest match against England in Durham saw them score 333/5, courtesy of a fabulous century by Rassie van der Dussen (134).
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Remember that classic match where South Africa made a record 438/9 in response to Australia's 434/4?
Gibbs, who smashed 175 that day, is auctioning his bat for a good cause 👏
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They recorded their first such score in 1994 when they batted first and struck 314 runs against the Kiwis at Centurion. In the 20th century, they had nine totals higher than 300.
The likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, de Villiers, and succeeding players like David Miller and Quinton de Kock ensured that South Africa consistently scored above 300.
The Rainbow Nation also holds the record of chasing the highest-ever total of 438 in ODIs.
#2 Australia - 113 times
The holders of a record five World Cup titles, Australia have the second-highest number of 300-plus scores – 113. Their first such feat came way back during the 1975 Prudential World Cup against Sri Lanka at The Oval.
Since then, Australia have breached the mark many more times, especially during their 'Golden Era' between the 1990s and 2000s. Legendary players including Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, and Steve Smith have scored tons of runs in the format, helping the team scale the 300 mark frequently.
Babar Azam-inspired Pakistan chased the mammoth total of 348 runs to level the three-match ODI series 1-1 🏏
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Out of the 113 games in which they have scored 300-plus runs, Australia have lost just 17 times, with the latest occasion being a high-scoring thriller against Pakistan. The Baggy Greens scored a mammoth 348 in the second ODI on March 31 this year. However, centuries from Imam Ul Haq and Babar Azam saw Pakistan win the encounter by six wickets.
#1 India - 120 times
With sub-continental pitches favoring batting more than seam and swing, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see India at number one on this list. Playing as many as 1,005 ODIs (the most by any country), India are easily one of the best-performing nations to have ever played the game.
The Men in Blue have gone past the mark on 120 occasions. The first time India breached 300 was against their arch-rivals, Pakistan, at Sharjah in 1996. They went on to win 91 of these 120 matches, losing 26 and tying three.
India have won their last 5 ODI series against West Indies 👏🇮🇳
Who will come out on top this series? 🤔
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India also have five 400-plus totals, with their highest being 418 versus West Indies in 2011. Interestingly, the last time India went past the 300 mark was in March last year against England. In fact, they scored 300-plus runs in all three games against the visitors.