Video: When 21 runs in 1 ball were scored in a very famous ODI

When Gibbs made it look too easy in the greatest ODI match of all time

On 12th March 2006, the World witnessed the greatest cricket ODI game ever played between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg where more than 850 runs were scored in the match.

Australia batted first and posted a logic-defying total of 434 runs in 50 overs, the first time ever a total of 400 or more was posted in an ODI game - Ricky Ponting leading the way with a majestic 164 off just 105 balls. This was the highest ODI score ever, but just for a short time.

In reply, South Africa brought the house down by chasing down this beyond-imagination total, courtesy a stunning 111-ball 175 from Herschelle Gibbs and handy contributions from others, to register the highest ODI run chase in the history of cricket. In this epic run-chase, South Africa scored 438 to win by just 1 wicket, to post the new highest total in ODI, which was later broken by Sri Lanka.

Famously dubbed as the ‘438 match’ and ‘The Greatest Cricket Match Ever Played’, this game delivered tons and heaps more than any Cricket lover would have ever asked for - a batting paradise that produced an exorbitant run fest, record number of sixes, 2 aggressively scintillating hundreds from 2 legends, a see-saw battle till the last ball of the match, guts, grit, disappointment, triumph, entertainment - it had everything.

But in all this ecstasy and thrill, one interesting stat that might have gone unnoticed under everyone’s nose is that 21 runs off 1 ball were scored in this greatest ODI match of all time. This happened in the 48th over of the Australian innings when Roger Telemachus delivered a barrage of no-balls, coupled with hits to the boundary from Ponting and Symonds who were at the crease at that time.

By the time Telemachus bowled the first legal delivery of the over, 21 runs had been added to the Australian total. Australia were 381 after 47 overs and Telemachus bowled 4 consecutive no-balls to begin the 48th. 12 runs were scored off the first 3 no-balls (4NB, 1NB, 4NB); the score was now 393.

Symonds then hit a monstrous six on the 4th no-ball which added 7 runs to the score to bring up the 400 for Australia – the first time ever 400 were scored in an ODI innings. 2 runs were eventually taken on the first legal ball of the over, to take the tally to 21 runs off 1 legal delivery.

After the first legal ball, the 48th over read: 4NB, 1NB, 4NB, 6NB, 2 = 21 runs from 1 ball. Watch this 21 off 1 ball video below: