5 biggest wins in ODI World Cups by runs ft. South Africa
A rampant Australia thrashed the Netherlands by a whopping margin of 309 runs in Match 24 of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 on Wednesday, October 25, in Delhi. The men from Down Under have now won three matches on the trot following back-to-back defeats in the early stage of the tournament.
A blistering 40-ball ton from the swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (106 off 44 balls) soared Australia's team total to a mammoth 399 for 8. His knock was so glorious that it completely overshadowed opener David Warner’s sixth century in ODI World Cups - 104.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (4 for 8) ran through the Dutch batting order while Mitchell Marsh picked up two scalps to bowl the Dutch team out for a minuscule 90 in just 21 overs.
Australia registered the second-biggest victory in the ODI format's history, by runs, with India’s 317-run triumph against Sri Lanka in January this year in Trivandrum being the best.
This is an apt opportunity to look at the list of the biggest wins, by runs, that teams have registered in ODI World Cups. So, let's go through a list of the five biggest World Cup wins, on this parameter, below.
#1 Australia - 309 runs vs Netherlands, Delhi, 2023
Australia rode on centuries by star batters David Warner (104) and Glenn Maxwell (106) to put on their second-highest total in World Cup history - 399 for 8. In response to this humongous effort, the Dutch team went down in the chase without much of a fight.
They were bowled out for 90 in 21 overs thanks to a deadly spell from Adam Zampa (4 for 8), who wiped out the tail. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh (2 for 19), Mitchell Starc (1 for 22), Josh Hazlewood (1 for 27), and Pat Cummins (1 for 14) did irreparable damage to the top order.
#2 Australia - 275 runs vs Afghanistan, Perth, 2015
Riding on the blazing century of David Warner (178) and fifties from Steve Smith (95) and Glenn Maxwell (88), Australia scripted the highest total - 417/6 - in World Cup history (at the time) on March 4, 2015.
Making best use of the conditions at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) stadium in Perth, left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson (4/22) peppered the Afghanistan batters with nasty bouncers.
Fellow pacer Mitchell Starc (2/18) delivered his trademark in-swinging yorkers too as Afghanistan were bowled out for 142 and lost the match by 275 runs. Australia went on to lift the title on home soil for the fifth time, first time Down Under.
#3 India - 257 runs vs Bermuda, Port of Spain, 2007
Australia, in the match mentioned above, broke India's record for the highest total in the World Cup. The Men in Blue set the record against Bermuda at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on March 19, 2007.
Two days after suffering a humiliating loss at the hands of underdogs Bangladesh, four of India's top six contributed powerfully to take them to a mammoth 413/5 at the same venue.
Virender Sehwag (114) and Saurav Ganguly (89) shone at the top with their 202-run stand for the second wicket. Then, Yuvraj Singh (83) and Sachin Tendulkar (57*) forged another powerful alliance for 122 runs for the fifth wicket.
In response to India's fireworks, Bermuda were shot down for 156 in 43.1 overs with Ajit Agarkar (3/38), Anil Kumble (3/38), and Zaheer Khan (2/32) doing major damage. Although India were knocked out from the group stage, this remains one of the biggest victories for the Men in Blue in the World Cup.
#4 South Africa - 257 runs vs West Indies, Sydney, 2015
A monstrous knock from former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers rocked the spirit of West Indies bowlers in front of an electrifying crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground in this match. An unbeaten 162 from off 66 balls, laced with 17 fours and eight sixes, shattered numerous records.
It was such an inspiring knock that it overshadowed the fifties notched up by three of the top four - Hashim Amla (65), Faf du Plessis (62), and Rilee Rossouw (61).
The big chase of the West Indies folded up on 151 in 33.1 overs despite the presence of power-hitters like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, and Andre Russell. South Africa registered a thumping 257-run victory in Pool B to boost their NRR.
#5 Australia - 256 runs vs Namibia, Potchefstroom, 2003
Eventual champions Australia defeated Namibia by 256 runs in a Pool A fixture of the ICC World Cup 2003 at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on February 27, 2003.
Australia posted 301 for 6 in the first innings powered by half-centuries from Matthew Hayden (88), Andrew Symonds (59), and Darren Lehmann (50*).
Australian legend Glenn McGrath bowled the most economical spell of the tournament - 7/15 from seven overs - to shoot down the African team for a paltry 45 in just 14 overs.
Andy Bichel (2/0) and Brett Lee (1/26) complemented the 'Pigeon' in terrorising the Namibia batting unit.