Australia's top 5 heaviest defeats in ODIs by runs ft. 2024 vs England
England beat Australia by 186 runs in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at Lord's on Friday, September 27. The series is now tied 2-2 with all to play for in the decider on Sunday, September 29.
Having won the first two ODIs of the series by convincing margins, Australia stuttered to hand England victory in the next two matches, both of which were rain-affected.
At Lord's, England put up an impressive 312-5 on the board, thanks to half-centuries from Ben Duckett (63), Harry Brook (87), and Liam Livingstone (62*). Matthew Potts returned with figures of 4-38 to bowl Australia out for 126 in 24.4 overs.
This was one of the heaviest defeats that Australia have faced in recent years and one that will go down in history. In this listicle, we take a look at the five heaviest defeats by runs handed to the Aussies in ODIs:
#1 248 runs vs England, 2018
The heaviest defeat Australia have faced in ODIs came against their arch-nemesis England in the third game of the series at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in 2018.
Batting first, the hosts put up a mammoth total of 481-6 on the board at the end of their allotted 50 overs, thanks to centuries from Jonny Bairstow (139) and Alex Hales (147).
In reply, none of the Aussie batters put up a fight save Travis Head (51 off 39 balls). This resulted in them being bowled out for a measly 239 inside 37 overs and handing England a massive victory by 248 runs.
#2 206 runs vs New Zealand, 1986
The second-heaviest defeat Australia faced in ODIs in terms of runs was against New Zealand in a Benson and Hedges World Series Cup match in Adelaide in 1986.
The visitors posted a respectable total of 276-7 at the end of their 50 overs. Bruce Edgar and John Wright scored identical 61s to lend some respectability to a total expected to be chased down.
Australia, however, were blown away by the storm brought on by New Zealand's Richard Hadlee, Stu Gillespie, and Ewan Chatfield. They were bowled out for a hapless 70, losing the match by 206 runs.
#3 196 runs vs South Africa, 2006
Another massive defeat Australia incurred in ODI cricket came in 2006 at the Newlands in Cape Town against South Africa. This was also the famous series in which the Johannesburg ODI saw a world-record 435 being chased down by the Proteas.
The hosts put up an impressive 289-7 on the board before returning to bowl the Aussies out for a poor 93 inside 34.3 overs. Makhaya Ntini was crowned the Player of the Match as the express pacer returned with figures of 6-22.
#4 186 runs vs England, 2024
The massive 186-run defeat Australia faced against England in the fourth ODI of the ongoing series comes fourth on this list.
Australia will hope that they recover quickly from this loss and get ready in time for the series decider on Sunday. The visitors have quite a few of their players ruled out due to illnesses, and this will play a massive part in shifting momentum away from them.
#5 164 runs vs West Indies, 1987
The West Indies team until the early 2000s was a fearsome unit, with their fast bowlers instilling fear in the minds of opposition batters. Before Australia, they were the real power in world cricket.
The Windies visited Australia for a series in 1986-87 and inflicted a soul-crushing 164-run defeat upon the hosts in a Benson and Hedges Challenge match at the WACA ground in Perth.
West Indies batted first to post 255-8, with opener Gordon Greenidge scoring an even 100. Australia were then shown their place by Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Tony Gray as they were bowled out for only 91 runs.