Top 5 highest scores for Australia in ODI history

After losing the first two ODIs against South Africa in the ongoing three-match 50-over series, Australia looked to make a strong statement with the bat in the final game at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Their captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and took the absolute right decision of batting first.

Let’s take a look at the top five highest scores for Australia in ODI history.

1. 434/4 vs South Africa

When Australia smashed this score against the Proteas in 2006 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, they hardly had any idea of losing the game from that position. Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich took them to a flying start of 97 runs in 15.1 overs, with the former scoring 55 runs in 44 balls. Katich scored 79 runs in 90 balls at a strike rate of 87.77.

See Also: CPL 2025, Match 10: Saint Lucia Kings vs Trinbago Knight Riders full match highlights and scorecard

Their number three batter, captain Ricky Ponting, played one of the sensational knocks of 164 runs in 105 balls at a strike rate of 156.19, thanks to 13 boundaries and nine sixes, while southpaw Michael Hussey dashed unbeaten 81 runs in 51 balls with a strike rate of nearly 160 as they posted 434 runs in the first innings. 

However, the famous 175-run knock from Herschelle Gibbs and a few more contributions were enough for the Proteas to chase down the target by one wicket on the penultimate delivery.

2. 431/2 vs South Africa

It’s the ongoing clash between Australia and South Africa in Mackay. Winning the toss, they opted to bat first as their openers, Head and Mitchell Marsh, creamed their respective centuries. The former drilled 142 runs in 103 balls at a strike rate of 137.86, decorated with 17 boundaries and five sixes, while Marsh smacked 100 runs.

Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 118 runs in just 55 balls at a strike rate of 214, with the help of six boundaries and eight sixes. Carey also drilled an undefeated 50 runs in 37 balls at a strike rate of 135.14, smashing seven boundaries. They put 431/2 in their allotted 50 overs in the first innings of the encounter.

3. 417/6 vs Afghanistan

This huge and successful batting performance from the Pat Cummins-led side came from the 2015 ODI World Cup against Afghanistan. At WACA, they batted first to post 417 runs on the board, with Warner clubbed a fine knock of 178 runs in 133 balls at a strike rate of 133.83, thanks to 19 boundaries and five sixes. Steve Smith was equally great in the job with 95 runs in 98 balls.

Glenn Maxwell continued to muscle the ball at all parts of the ground with 88 runs in just 39 balls at a strike rate of 225.64. It was another poor batting show from the Asian side, who were bundled out for 142 runs and earned the defeat by 275 runs.

4. 399/5 vs Netherlands

It was from the last ODI World Cup in 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi when Australia met the Netherlands for the vital game. Batting first on a good batting surface, they posted 399/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Opening batter, David Warner, clubbed a fine knock of 104 runs in just 93 balls with 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 111.82.

Marnus Labuschagne continued the momentum with 62 runs in just 47balls. But for the champions to get to a mammoth score, the biggest contribution came from Glenn Maxwell, who bashed 106 runs in just 44 balls at a strike rate of 240.90, smashing nine boundaries and eight sixes in the innings.  

None of the Dutch batters were able to spend time in the middle as they were bundled out for 90 runs in the second innings, allowing Australia to earn a huge victory by 309 runs.

5. 392/8 vs South Africa 

It’s the clash at Bloemfontein between the Aussies and the Proteas in 2023 when the former posted 392/8 in their first innings. Their opening batter, David Warner, drilled 106 runs in 93 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 113.97, while Head creamed 64 runs in 36 deliveries at a strike rate of around 180.

Labuschagne smashed 124 runs in 99 balls at a strike rate of 125.25, decorated with 19 boundaries and one six. Josh Inglis drilled 50 runs in 37 balls with seven boundaries and one six as they fired their way to 392 runs.

In reply, South Africa posted 269 to lose the game. For the home side, most of their batters got starts, but none of them were able to convert them to a big score, which didn’t help them in the chase. They faced defeat by 123 runs in the encounter.