In the grand theatre of One Day Internationals (ODIs), a format once built on patience and preservation, the last two decades have witnessed a dramatic shift. With flatter pitches, fielding restrictions, and the rise of fearless batting, teams no longer aim for 250 or even 300; they now shoot for the sky. Modern ODI cricket is an all-out run-fest where scores that once seemed impossible are now just a benchmark.
Whether it’s a World Cup clash, a bilateral mismatch, or a record-setting day in unfamiliar conditions, teams have managed to pile on mountains of runs that left bowlers shell-shocked and fans breathless. Let’s take a journey through the Top 5 Highest Team Totals in ODI Cricket History innings that rewrote history, redefined limits, and remain etched in the memory of every cricket lover.
5. South Africa – 428/5 vs Sri Lanka
Date: October 7, 2023
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
In their ODI World Cup 2023 opener, South Africa made a thunderous start, piling up 428/5, the highest-ever World Cup total. This match saw three South Africans scoring centuries: Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram. Markram’s century came in just 49 balls, the fastest in World Cup history. The Sri Lankan bowlers were rendered helpless as the Proteas sent 45 fours and 14 sixes flying into the Mumbai crowd. It was an innings that combined power with precision and showed the world that South Africa meant business.
South Africa Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 100 | 84 | 12 | 3 | 119.04 |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 108 | 110 | 13 | 2 | 98.18 |
| Aiden Markram | 106 | 54 | 14 | 3 | 196.29 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 32 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 160.00 |
| David Miller | 39 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 185.71 |
| Extras | 27 | ||||
| Total | 428/5 | 50 Overs | – | – | – |
4. South Africa – 438/9 vs Australia
Date: March 12, 2006
Venue: Wanderers, Johannesburg
The 438-game, arguably the greatest ODI match ever played. After Australia posted 434/4, the then-highest total in ODIs, no one thought South Africa could chase it down. But Graeme Smith (90) and Herschelle Gibbs (175) had other plans. The Proteas scripted a miraculous chase, winning with one ball to spare in a match that had 872 runs and drama beyond belief. Gibbs’ knock was one of raw power and passion, and Mark Boucher’s winning boundary sealed what was previously considered unthinkable.
South Africa Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graeme Smith | 90 | 55 | 13 | 2 | 163.64 |
| Herschelle Gibbs | 175 | 111 | 21 | 7 | 157.66 |
| Mark Boucher | 50* | 43 | 4 | 1 | 116.28 |
| Johan van der Wath | 35 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 194.44 |
| Extras | 25 | ||||
| Total | 438/9 | 49.5 Overs | – | – | – |
3. South Africa – 439/2 vs West Indies
Date: January 18, 2015
Venue: Wanderers, Johannesburg
This wasn’t just a record; it was a celebration of AB de Villiers’ genius. On this day, he hit the fastest ODI century ever (100 in just 31 balls). South Africa’s 439/2 against West Indies was built on the back of jaw-dropping audacity. Hashim Amla (153)* and Rilee Rossouw (128) laid the perfect foundation with a 247-run stand. Then came de Villiers, and what followed was pure carnage: 149 off 44 balls with 16 sixes. West Indies were powerless, reduced to spectators. The innings wasn’t just dominant, it was history in fast-forward.
South Africa Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashim Amla | 153* | 142 | 14 | 0 | 107.74 |
| Rilee Rossouw | 128 | 115 | 11 | 2 | 111.30 |
| AB de Villiers | 149 | 44 | 9 | 16 | 338.63 |
| Extras | 9 | ||||
| Total | 439/2 | 50 Overs | – | – | – |
2. England – 481/6 vs Australia
Date: June 19, 2018
Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Four years before they reached 498, England posted 481/6 against arch-rivals Australia, a total that stunned the cricketing world. On a pitch that offered no mercy to bowlers, the English batsmen unleashed a brutal onslaught. It wasn’t just about boundaries; it was about relentless pressure, intent, and fearlessness. Jonny Bairstow (139 off 92) and Alex Hales (147 off 92) added 151 runs in just 19 overs, breaking Australia’s spirit early. Then came Eoin Morgan, who hammered 67 off just 30 balls, ensuring no let-up. The Aussies had no answers; their world-class attack looked ordinary.
England Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonny Bairstow | 139 | 92 | 15 | 5 | 151.08 |
| Jason Roy | 82 | 61 | 7 | 4 | 134.42 |
| Alex Hales | 147 | 92 | 16 | 5 | 159.78 |
| Eoin Morgan | 67 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 223.33 |
| Jos Buttler | 11 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 91.67 |
| Moeen Ali | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Extras | 12 | ||||
| Total | 481/6 | 50 Overs | – | – | – |
1. England – 498/4 vs Netherlands
Date: June 17, 2022
Venue: VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen
England’s 498/4 against the Netherlands is not just the highest team total in ODI history, it’s a testament to their white-ball revolution under Eoin Morgan. On a sunny day in Amstelveen, England turned a relatively unknown Dutch ground into a boundary-laden battlefield. The assault was led by Jos Buttler, who played one of the most brutal innings in ODI history, an unbeaten 162 off just 70 balls. He was supported by Phil Salt (122) and Dawid Malan (125), both scoring their maiden ODI hundreds. The climax came when Liam Livingstone exploded with 66* off just 22 balls, taking England to the brink of the 500-run mark.
England Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 122 | 93 | 14 | 3 | 131.18 |
| Dawid Malan | 125 | 109 | 9 | 3 | 114.67 |
| Jos Buttler (not out) | 162* | 70 | 7 | 14 | 231.42 |
| Liam Livingstone (not out) | 66* | 22 | 6 | 6 | 300.00 |
| Moeen Ali | 22 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 122.22 |
| Extras | 21 | ||||
| Total | 498/4 | 50 Overs | – | – | – |
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