Just like our lives, it is pretty helpful to have the right partner with us on the other side of the crease. This aspect of the game is much more important than it may seem. All teams decide pairs which could bat together with more efficiency. The world has seen many such duos who could dismantle any bowling attack. Australia, too has contributed to this list. From the knocks of the current stars, like David Warner and Aaron Finch, to those from previous contributors, like Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds, we will take a look at the biggest partnerships for Australia in ODI cricket.
1. David Warner And Travis Head Vs. Pakistan
We begin this list with David Warner and Travis Head’s opening partnership of 284 runs against Pakistan during the fifth ODI of Pakistan’s tour of Australia in 2017. The duo guided their team to a total of 369 runs. Following this, the Australians restricted the Pakistani batters to a score of 312 runs, thus winning the match by 57 runs.
2. David Warner And Travis Head Vs. England
On number two, we have another knock from David Warner and Travis Head. The opening stand came against England during the third ODI of England’s tour of Australia in 2022. Australia posted a massive total of 355 runs and then, with their splendid bowling performance, restricted the English batters to only 142 runs.
3. David Warner And Steve Smith Vs. Afghanistan
Next up is the 260-run stand between David Warner and Steve Smith. This knock helped Australia post a mammoth total of 417 runs in the ICC World Cup match of 2015. In reply, Afghanistan could score only 142 runs before getting all-out in the 38th over, thus losing the match by 275 runs.
4. David Warner And Aaron Finch Vs. India
On the fourth spot, we have an unbeaten knock of 258 runs from David Warner and Aaron Finch. During Australia’s tour of India in 2020, the bowlers restricted the Indian batters to 255 runs. Following this, the duo chased down the target with ease without losing a single wicket.
5. Shane Watson And Ricky Ponting Vs. England
Standing in the fifth position on this list, we have Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting with their unbeaten knock of 252 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy of 2009. While chasing a target of 257 runs, the Australians registered an easy victory as they put together the required runs in only 41.5 overs.
6. Shaun Marsh And Aaron Finch Vs. Scotland
Making it to the sixth place on this list, we have Shawn Marsh and Aaron Finch. During Australia’s tour of England and Scotland in 2013, the 246-run opening stand guided Australia to a total of 362 runs. In reply, Scotland could score only 162 before being bowled out in the 44th over.
7. Steve Smith And George Bailey Vs. India
On number seven, we have Steve Smith and George Bailey’s partnership of 242 runs for the third wicket. This score came against India when they visited Australia in 2016. The duo shadowed Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten knock of 171 runs as they defeated India by five wickets by chasing down a total of 309 runs.
8. Andrew Symonds And Ricky Ponting Vs. Sri Lanka
Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting stand in the eighth position with their partnership of 237 runs. During the VB Series of 2006, Australia posted a total of 368 runs on board while batting first. Sri Lanka could score only 201 runs while chasing this total and faced a defeat by 167 runs.
9. Ricky Ponting And Damien Martyn Vs. India
On the ninth spot of this list, we have Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn with an unbeaten stand of 234 runs. The third wicket partnership guided Australia to a total of 359 runs in the ICC World Cup match of 2003. In reply, India could score only 234 runs and hence, lost the game by 125 runs.
10. David Warner And Aaron Finch Vs. India
The final stand to make way to this elite list is David Warner and Aaron Finch’s opening knock of 231 runs against India in the fourth ODI of the Australia tour of India in 2017. While batting first, the Australians put up a total of 334 runs and then restricted the Indian batters to 313 runs to win the match by 21 runs.
