Four hundred runs or more is a sign of a team's batting domination in the fast-paced world of ODIs. These enormous scores highlight not just the individual genius of batters but also the teamwork that went into creating innings that will go down in history. These games are remembered in cricket history as spectacular displays of run-scoring extravaganzas, with towering sixes and searing boundaries. Here is a list of 10 times when teams achieved the elusive 400-run milestone, leaving fans of the game amazed by the incredible feats of batting skill. Batters produced symphonies of strokes in these, paving the way for some of the most spectacular and high-scoring One-Day Internationals ever seen.
1. England Vs Australia, 2018
England scored the then-world record of 481 runs, thanks to centuries from Bairstow and Hales, and half-centuries from Roy and Morgan. It was an incredible batting display and although it was not a full-strength Australian squad, the feat itself is nothing short of extraordinary. Most of the bowlers were hit for big runs in absolute carnage.
2. South Africa Vs Australia, 2006
In what is the most successful run chase till date, South Africa showcased an exceptional performance with Gibbs scoring 175 runs. Almost all the batters contributed to the scoreboard got South Africa over the line with one wicket to spare. Bracken’s five-wicket haul went in vain as South Africa forged history.
3. England Vs Pakistan, 2016
In yet another ruthless display, Alex Hales powered England with his 171, backed by half centuries from Root, Roy, and Morgan. They broke Sri Lanka’s record in that match and took almost all Pakistani bowlers for a ride around the park. Wahab Riaz, arguably Pakistan’s best bowler at that time, was hit for an astonishing 110 runs in his ten overs.
4. Sri Lanka Vs India, 2009
In a match where more than 800 runs were scored, Sri Lanka fell just short of their target. Chasing India’s mammoth total, they got the ideal start, thanks to their openers. Dilshan scored 160, backed by half-centuries from Sangakkara and Tharanga. However, there were no significant contributions from the middle order and subsequently they fell just three runs short of their target.
5. England Vs New Zealand, 2015
England thrashed New Zealand in the first ODI at Birmingham. Batting first, they score a massive 408 runs, riding on centuries from Root and Buttler. In addition, Morgan and Rashid scored half-centuries as well. Despite being a good bowling unit, New Zealand failed to restrict England to a low total, losing in the end by 210 runs.
6. India Vs South Africa, 2010
The match is etched in history as Sachin Tendulkar became the first batter to score a double hundred in ODI cricket. Thanks to his knock and half-centuries from Dhoni and Karthik, India was able to post a massive 401 runs on the board against what was a quality South African bowling unit.
7. South Africa Vs India, 2015
The Proteas took apart the Indian bowling lineup, scoring 438 runs. They reached the gigantic score through the centuries of De Kock, Du Plessis, and De Villiers. De Kock and Du Plessis scored at a healthy strike rate of over 100. However, De Villiers was in a league of his own, scoring at a strike rate of almost 200.
8. England Vs Netherlands, 2022
England mercilessly smashed the Netherlands for almost 500 runs, falling short by just two. Netherlands looked in control as they got Roy early but after that it was all one-way traffic. Centuries by Salt and Malan already took the game away from Netherlands, and Buttler’s century and Livingston’s half-century landed the final blow. They scored at a strike rate of 230 and 300, respectively.
9. India Vs Bangladesh, 2022
Bangladesh were beaten on their home turf by a gigantic margin of 227 runs, thanks to the Indian duo of Kishan and Kohli. A double century from Kishan and a century from Kohli powered India to 409 runs. Theirs was the partnership that took the game away from Bangladesh. Barring Mustafizur Rahman, all bowlers went for big runs.
10. India Vs Sri Lanka, 2014
The highest individual score in ODI cricket came in this match when Rohit Sharma went berserk, scoring 264 runs. The next best scorer in the team was Virat Kohli, with 66 runs. The Lankan bowlers were dominated and everyone except Mattews was expensive. Sharma’s blistering innings took India above the 400-run mark, putting the team in a commanding position.
