Highest team-wise ODI totals
There was an era when the longest format of the game, Test cricket, controlled the scene with stadiums thronged by fans. But, with the introduction of the One Day Internationals, followed by T20 format, the 5-day game began to lose its sheen. The first One Day International was played between arch-rivals Australia and England on 5 January 1971 at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ever since, the highest totals in the ODI format have been fast changing.
As opposed to Test Cricket, the newer versions are all about fearless batting. The bowling department has to tighten the screws by picking up wickets at regular intervals.
The bowlers toil hard as the pitch becomes a batsman’s paradise. This was epitomized by the English batsmen against Pakistan, scoring the highest ODI total of 444-3 and leaving behind Sri Lanka’s record of 443 runs.
Keeping in mind the demolition of Pakistani bowlers at Nottingham, we have compiled a list of the highest ODI totals for each team.
#1 444/3 – England vs Pakistan at Nottingham, 30th August 2016
A historic show of batting led by Alex Hales saw the English team set a new world record for highest team score in a One-Day International against Pakistan in Nottingham on August 30.
Hales, who fired on all cylinders, struck 171 runs while Jos Buttler scored England's fastest 50 from only 22 balls. The Three Lions breezed to a mammoth 444-3 and clinched the series after Pakistan failed to chase the target.
Hales’s knock was the highest ever-individual ODI score by an England batsman and together with Joe Root (85), a partnership of 248 runs was put on the board for the second wicket.
The Pakistani team struggled to build partnerships and only managed to accumulate 279 runs.
The last ball of the first innings saw wicket keeper Jos Buttler, scourge Hasan Ali’s delivery over the extra-cover for a fantastic four and ensure a new record. The crowd of over 17,000 fans enjoyed every ball of the game. The total of 444 now features in the Guinness Book of World Records.