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When less is more- The greatest low-scoring ODI matches on the big stage

England v West Indies
Low scoring thrillers, a soul of limited-overs cricket

The notion that the precursor to an exciting match is when both teams score a plethora of runs, with batsmen making a mockery of the art of six-hitting, is such a passe'.

In fact, the prime doctrine that adds excitement to an ODI game is when both teams play an aggressive game of cricket and the pitch offers enough to keep both the bowlers and batsmen in the game.

There have been a plethora of low-scoring encounters which have kept spectators on the edge of their seats, longing for more.

On that note, let us take a walk down memory lane and relive some of the greatest low-scoring matches in marquee events, the images of which still linger in our minds.


#5 South Africa vs England, ICC World Cup Group Match, Chennai 2011

England v South Africa: Group B - 2011 ICC World Cup
It was a thrilling encounter at Chepauk

When England and the Proteas met on a rank-turner at Chennai in the 2011 World Cup, the former hopes of resurrecting their campaign suffered a brutal setback when the Proteas left-arm spinner, Robin Peterson, sent their top-order packing inside the first five overs.

England was 15/3 when a 99-run stand between Jonathan Trott (52) and Ravi Bopara steadied the fledging ship.

However, Morne Morkel nipped one off the seam to trap Bopara (60) in front. Bopara's dismissal triggered yet another collapse, as Imran Tahir polished off the tail to bowl England out for 171.

At 124/3, South Africa looked well on course to a crushing win, when De Villiers (25) decided to leave a delivery off James Anderson, only to see his stumps rattled.

The dismissal of de Villiers (25) paved the way for a customary run-out, frequent with the Proteas in tight matches, Du Plessis playing the 'protagonist' this time around.

JP Duminy lost his off-stump to an unplayable delivery from Anderson, and suddenly the Proteas were staring down the barrel at 124/6.

An inspiring partnership of 33 between Morne Van Wyk (13) and Dale Steyn (20) kept South Africa afloat, but Stuart Broad (15/4) decided to join the party as he nipped out last two wickets to seal a thrilling six-run win for England.

England (171, Ravi Bopara 60, Imran Tahir 38-4) beat South Africa (165, Hashim Amla 42, Stuart Broad 15-4) by six runs.

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