In a sport like cricket, individual milestones don’t count significant unless they result in a victory for the team. We often hear the phrase ‘efforts went in vain’ while listening to a cricket commentary which means that the stellar performances displayed by the players couldn’t assist the team in crossing the line. An international cricketer can afford not picking a fifer or scoring a century, but the prospect of the team finishing on the other side of the line cannot withstand even once. Be it the wins by say, in excess of 100 runs or by the closest of margin, it ranks similar and there would be no international cricketer, who would distinguish one win from the other, knowing how tough it is to triumph at the highest level.
Inspite of all this being true, there are some wins that hold a special place in the hearts of cricket lovers, which they could easily distinguish from the other victories, unlike the players. The peculiarity of the triumph can be anything ranging from the margin of win, great individual performances or adversity faced on the way towards victory. This article particularly throws light on the margin of victory. In the below piece, we look at 5 biggest wins (in terms of runs) in ODI cricket:
1. New Zealand’s victory over Ireland by 290 runs
It was during the 1st match of the Associates Tri-series at Aberdeen, Scotland. Put into bat first, the Kiwis posted a massive total of 402-2 in their 50 overs on the back of centuries by James Marshall and McCullum, who smashed 161(141) and 166(135) respectively.
Ireland, unfortunately, couldn’t get any near to the Kiwi total, being bundled out for a mere 112 in 28.4 overs, owing to spells of 3-22 by Southee and 3-35 by Mason. The Kiwis won the game by a gargantuan margin of 290 runs, which is to date the biggest victory by runs in ODI cricket.
2. Australia’s victory over Afghanistan by 275 runs
It came during the 26th match, Pool A of the ICC World Cup, 2015 at Perth. Australia, who were batting first, posted a humongous total of 417-6 in their 50 overs, courtesy knocks of 178(133) by Warner, 95(98) by Smith and 88(39) by Maxwell. Zadran was the pick of the bowler for the opposition with figures of 2-89.
Given the familiarity with home conditions and scoreboard pressure for the opposition, Australia bowled Afghanistan out for 142 in 37.3 overs, winning the contest by the second-largest margin of 275 runs. Johnson ran riot with the ball in hand on this spicy Perth deck, picking up 4-22.
3. South Africa’s victory over Zimbabwe by 272 runs
The Proteas pulled off this effort during the 3rd ODI at Benoni in 2010. Batting first, South Africa posted a huge total of 399-6 in their 50 overs, owing to centuries from Duminy and de Villiers, who blasted 129(117) and 109(99) respectively.
Zimbabwe were shell-shocked witnessing this phenomenal effort from the hosts, who bundled out for 127 during their batting innings, handing the home team a win by 272 runs. Theron worked wonders with his medium-pace, scalping 3-18.
4. South Africa’s victory over Sri Lanka by 258 runs
It was during the 1 st ODI of Sri Lanka tour of South Africa in 2012 at Paarl. South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat first, managed a commanding total of 301-8 in their 50 overs on the back of a brilliant century by Amla, who smacked 112(128) and innings of 52(40) by de Villiers. Malinga, the yorker sensation, picked a five-wicket haul while giving away just 54 runs.
Inspite of the total being on the higher side, the visitors were expected to put up a fight and get closer to the total. Hapless, it wasn’t to be as Sri Lanka surrendered miserably in front of the hosts bowling might, getting bowled out for just 43 in 20.1 overs and bestowing the Proteas a victory by a whopping margin of 258 runs. Morne Morkel was adjudged the MOM for his wonderful spell of bowling, snapping 4-10.
5. India’s victory over Bermuda by 257 runs
This epic win came during the 12th game of the ICC World Cup, 2007 at Port of Spain, as a part of the Group B fixtures. Having lost the toss, India were fortunate enough to bat first, posting a colossal total of 413-5 in their 50 overs, courtesy knocks of 89(114) by Ganguly and 114(87) by Sehwag. Borden was the pick of the bowler for Bermuda with figures of 2-30.
After posting such a massive total, it became clear that India weren’t going to lose this and the world waited to see the resilience from a rising Bermuda side. They did their best to reach 156 in 43.1 overs, owing to a one-man-show from Hemp, who struck 76(105) and led the batting charge. Agarkar and Kumble stood out for the Indians, with identical figures of 3-38 and assisted their side in sweeping the contest by 257 runs.
