How often have the Top 7 scored in excess of 300 in ODIs

Cricket, nowadays, is seen as a game which is entirely dominated by batsmen. A few decades ago, a team which scored in excess of 250 managed to win most of the games. However, now, with the advent of T20 cricket, the imposition of field restrictions, bigger bats and smaller grounds have led to an increase in scores of 300+.

Also, several talented batsmen have made batting look easy with their wide range of shots, which leaves the opposition bowlers short on choices. Now let's have a look at the teams with most numbers of 300+ totals in ODIs.

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#7 New Zealand - 53 times

New Zealand are one of the most favourite teams in the world who are known for providing thrilling entertainment, thanks to their approach to the shorter formats of the game.

Their aggressive instincts helped them post 300+ scores 53 times, the first of which came against East Africa at Birmingham on 7th June 1975 in the second match of the Prudential World Cup, when they posted 309.

They crossed this mark 52 more times in the next 42 years.

The Kiwis posted their highest total in ODIs (402) against Ireland at Aberdeen on 1st July 2008 when Brendon McCullum and Hamish Marshall scored centuries, which happened to be their solitary 400 plus total in ODIs.

#6 England - 58 times

It is evident from their exciting brand of cricket that the English have undergone a massive transformation under coach Trevor Bayliss in LOIs. Several cricketing experts believe that the current ODI side featuring the likes of Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Joe Root is the best set of cricketers their country had ever produced.

The first ever instance of them scoring a total in excess of 300 came against India at Lord's on 7th June 1975 in the first match of the Prudential World Cup, when they posted 334. The highest they have ever scored in ODIs (444) came against Pakistan at Nottingham on 30th August 2016. Their other 400+ score came against New Zealand at Birmingham on 9th June 2015, when they posted 408.

#5 Sri Lanka - 66 times

Sri Lanka are the only country to hold the highest scores of all formats at one time. Their first total in excess of 300 came against Zimbabwe at New Plymouth on 23rd Feb 1992, when they posted 313.

They have also posted two scores in excess of 400. Centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan helped Sri Lanka post their highest score in ODIs (443) against the Netherlands at Amstelveen on 4th Jul 2006.

The island nation has seen a massive downfall in the last year or so. They were beaten comprehensively by several lower ranked sides and might find it difficult to climb up in this list in the upcoming years as they have struggled to find able replacements for their senior pros who quit the game a few years back.

#4 Pakistan - 69 times

Known for their threatening bowling attacks over the years, it is surprising to see the Pakistani side featuring in the top four.

They first scored a total in excess of 300 against Sri Lanka at Nottingham on 14th Jun 1975, when they posted 330. With several stroke-makers like Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq coming up the ranks, they posted 300+ scores 68 more times in the next 42 years.

A magnificent ton from Shahid Afridi helped Pakistan post their highest score in ODIs (385) against Bangladesh at Dambulla on 21st Jun 2010.

Pakistan are the only team in this slideshow who have not scored a total in excess of 400.

#3 South Africa - 79 times

South Africa scored a total in excess of 300 for the first time against New Zealand at Centurion on 11th Dec 1994, when they posted 314 and have breached the mark 78 times more since.

Having posted scores in excess of 400 six times (most by any cricket playing nation), they are one of the most destructive sides going around. A swashbuckling 175 from Herschelle Gibbs helped his side achieve their highest ODI total (438) against Australia at Johannesburg on 12th Mar 2006.

Their most recent 400+ score came against India at Wankhede on 25th Oct 2015, when Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers smashed hundreds and helped their side to a mammoth total of 438.

All their 400+ totals have come in the past 12 years, which makes their effort even more appreciable.

#2 Australia - 96 times

Australia have scored 300+ totals 96 times, the first of which came against Sri Lanka at The Oval on 11th Jun 1975 in the 7th game of the Prudential World Cup, when they posted 328.

The number increased manifold after the arrival of explosive batsmen like Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, David Warner, Shane Watson and Aaron Finch into their setup.

The baggy green side have also posted scores in excess of 400 two times. Ricky Ponting's sublime 164, helped them post their highest ODI total (434) against South Africa at Johannesburg. Their other 400+ score came against Afghanistan in a World Cup game at Perth on 4th March 2015, when they made 417.

#1 India - 100 times

India have arguably been the best batting side in the world over the years, which clearly indicates why they are on top of this list. They have featured in 933 ODIs, won 478 and lost 408 of them, and scored totals in excess of 300 in 100 of those matches.

They achieved this landmark in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka in Mohali, when they scored 392.

The first ever instance of them scoring a total in excess of 300 came against arch-rivals Pakistan at Sharjah on 15th April 1996, when they posted 305.

The advent of IPL saw India post scores in excess of 400 five times (second most by any country). Their first ever 400+ score came against minnows Bermuda in a World Cup game at Port of Spain on 19th Mar 2007, when Virender Sehwag smashed the helpless Bermuda bowlers to all corners of the ground.

The ODI giants achieved their highest ever ODI score (418) against West Indies at Indore on 8th Dec 2011, when Virender Sehwag (captain of the side), scored the highest individual score (219) in ODIs at that time.

With the sub-continent conditions increasingly favouring the batsmen, India can keep on adding many more 300+ scores to their tally and sit firmly on top of the list in the upcoming years.

Disclaimer: The stats and figures are accurate as on 4th Jan 2018.