Since its inception in 1975, the World Cup has witnessed some of the best actions in the history of cricket. There have been some knocks that have caught the attention of people and critics from around the world, and in this article, we will talk about the 'Top 10 Batters with Highest Score in World Cup Chases', which is still remembered by fans.
1. Andrew Strauss
England was chasing 339 against India in a match of the 2011 World Cup, where Strauss played a majestic knock of 158 off just 145 balls. He stitched a partnership with Bell, and England was cruising for victory as they were 281/2 in the 43rd over needing 50 off just 44 balls, but Zaheer Khan turned things in Indian favour by taking wickets of Bell and Strauss on consecutive balls, and the match ended in tie and Strauss winning Man of the Match.
2. Devon Conway
In the ongoing World Cup 2023, New Zealand was up against England in the opening game of the 2023 World Cup at Ahmedabad. England set a target of 283 on board. In reply, the Kiwis lost the 1st wicket for just ten runs, but after that, Devon Conway put in a master class of batting, created a partnership with Rachin, and won the match for the Kiwis. Conway scored 152*, which is the 2nd highest score in the World Cup run chases.
3. David Houghton
The former Zimbabwean cricketer scored a magnificent century against Kiwis in the 1987 World Cup. In a chase of 243 against New Zealand, he scored 142 of just 137 balls. Zimbabwe was in all sorts of trouble as Zimbabwe was 104/7, but Houghton played very well and scored a century, after his dismissal, the team collapsed and failed to win as his century went in vain.
4. Scott Styris
New Zealand met Sri Lanka in a group-stage game at the 2003 World Cup. Sri Lanka set a target of 273 for the Kiwis. But in the chase, while other Kiwi's batter was falling from one end, Styris held the other end and made 141 off just 125 deliveries. However, his knock was not enough as Kiwi was bowled out for just 225 and, went on to lose the match by 47 runs.
5. Lahiru Thirimanne
In a group stage game in the 2015 World Cup, Sri Lanka faced England at the Sky Stadium, Wellington. England made 309 in the 1st innings and set a competitive total of 310 for Sri Lanka. However, in reply, Thirimanne made a mockery of this chase as he amassed a century and scored 139 off 143 deliveries as Sri Lanka won the match by 9 wickets.
6. Stephen Fleming
New Zealand faced South Africa in a group-stage game in the 2003 World Cup. In the 1st innings, South Africa scored 306 and set a decent total for New Zealand. In reply, Fleming took on the African bowler as he amassed 134 off just 132 deliveries, New Zealand went on to win the match by 9 wickets in a rain-effected game.
7. NC Johnson
In the 1999 World Cup, Zimbabwe faced Australia in a group-stage game. Australia in 1st innings scored 303 runs in the allocated 50 over. In reply, Johnson held one end and scored 132 off 142 deliveries, which included 12 fours and 1 sixes. However, his knock was not enough to put them over the line as they lost by 44 runs.
8. Mohammad Rizwan
In a group stage game in the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan was up against Sri Lanka on a flat Hyderabad track. Sri Lanka scored 344 runs in the 1st innings. However, this wasn't enough, as Rizwan scored 131 off just 121 deliveries, which made the chase easy for Pakistan, who won the game by six wickets.
9. Rohit Sharma
In the ongoing 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan was facing India at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi. Afghanistan batted first and scored 273 runs. In reply, Rohit Sharma played a majestic knock of 131 off just 84 deliveries as he made the chase look easy. He won the man of the match as India won this match by eight wickets. Rohit has scored 1195 runs in the World Cup at an average of 66.39 and a strike rate over 100.
10. Sachin Tendulkar
Kenya was up against India in the 1996 World Cup group-stage game. Batting first, Kenya was bowled out for just 199 runs. In 2nd inning, Sachin destroyed the Kenyan bowler and scored 127 of 203 runs alone. His knock consisted of 15 boundaries and a six. India won this match by seven wickets. Sachin has scored 2278 runs at an average of 56.75 and a strike rate close to 90 in the World Cup.
