5 highest successful chases in ODI history

Morgan took England to victory

Chasing in ODI games is not as difficult as it might seem at first. Statistics tells us that the team batting second has won more ODIs than the team batting first. However, when team batting first scores in excess of 299 and sets a target of 300 or more, things change dramatically for the chasing side.Their success rate drops to an incomparable low and 300 plus seems to be a lost cause for chasing team. It is worth mentioning that only 60 out of 456 such instances, a team has chased 300+ target in an ODI game. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of 300+ chases. This decade, in only five years, has seen the joint most victories for such chases – 28. 1990s witnessed only 4 victories for teams chasing above run a ball target for a full game and before 90s, there was no such instance.One obvious reason for the lack of successful chases prior to 2000s is that in those days, the target was not as frequent as they are today. Yet the ratio by which they have been chased in the recent years is much more than that in previous years.In fact, 13 out of top 15 successful chases have come in last ten years. We have decided to take a look at five highest chases in the ODIs which resulted in the victory of teams batting second. Interestingly, four among top five successful chases have come against Australia – quite an embarrassment for 4-times World Champions – isn’t it?

#5 England vs New Zealand Nottingham 2015

Morgan took England to victory

England 350-3 in 44 Overs vs New Zealand 349-7 in 50 Overs, Nottingham 17 June 2015

It was the 4th ODI of the bilateral series between New Zealand and England, which took in Nottingham, earlier this year. New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the coin battle. Almost every batsmen from New Zealand’s camp played his part with Guptill 53, Williamson 93 and Elliot 55 among the notable ones.

England were given 350 to chase, which if achieved would become the 4th highest successful chase in ODIs. Alex Hales in response attacked the New Zealand bowling right from the start. In 11th over, when Alex Hales departed for 67 off 38 balls, England had already posted 100 on the board.

After Jason Roy was removed, captain Eoin Morgan joined Joe Root on the crease. An unbeaten 106 from Root complimented well by Morgan’s 113 handed England an easy victory over visitors. With 36 balls to spare, England won by 7 wickets and Morgan was given the man of the match award.

#4 India vs Australia at Nagpur 2013

Kohli smashed his way to a quickfire century

India 351-4 in 49.3 Overs vs Australia 350-6 in 50 Overs, Nagpur 30 Oct 2013

It was the sixth match of ODI series between Australia and India in India. India won the toss and it was somehow Australia to bat first. By 12th over, India had removed both the openers for 45 runs, and things seemed to be moving India’s way. However, twin hundreds from Shane Watson (156) and George Bailey (102) gave India an impressive target of 351 to pursue.

India had seldom faced the opening woes in the past few years- and this was no different game. The openers delivered when they were required to. When Rohit Sharma was finally removed by the part-timer Aaron Finch for 79, India were 178 in 30th over.

In came Virat Kohli, the master of ODI chases, and he justified the title he has often been associated with. Dhawan scored 100 from 102 balls and Kohli’s 66-ball 115 gave India the momentum they required to bring the target in their sight.

Six required from final over and Dhoni on strike- there isn’t an easy situation in a one-day game. India won the game with 3 balls to spare and Kohli was the man of the match.

Now let us move onto the 2nd match of this series- where Kohli had another famous knock.

#3 India vs Australia at Jaipur 2013

Rohit Sharma was the architect of the successful chase

India 362-1 in 43.3 Overs vs Australia 359-5 in 50 Overs, Jaipur 16 Oct 2013

In the 2nd match of the same ODI series, Australia won the toss and decided to... guess what... yes, bat first. The decision at first seemed to bring favourable results for the Australians as they scored 200-2 in 35th over.

The much-needed acceleration was provided by Captain George Bailey’s 92*(50) and Maxwell’s 53 (32). Australia posted an imposing target of 360 for the Indian team to chase.

India started off their campaign even more emphatically. Dhawan and Sharma played flawlessly and punished the Australian bowlers to their content. When Australia finally broke the opening partnership, India had already scored 176 in 27th over.

Rohit Sharma was then joined by Virat Kohli- the man who had till then established his reputation for centuries in successful chases. He made sure that this match was no exception to his rule. But it was different from his previous centuries in chases; it came at almost the strike rate of 200. Kohli scored 100* of just 52 balls which included 7 sixes.

Kohli’s quick century coupled with Rohit Sharma’s 141* saw the host side home with 39 balls to spare. India won the game by 9 wickets. Rohit Sharma was adjudged the man of the match.

#2 South Africa vs Australia at Durban 2016

Miller’s century guided South Africa to a memorable win

Australia 371-6 in 50 overs vs South Africa 372-6 in 50 overs, Durban October 2016

It was the 3rd ODI between South Africa and Australia at the Kingsmead, Durban in South Africa. Australia won the toss and once again opted to bat first. They got off to a flier thanks to an explosive 110 run opening parnership between David Warner and Aaron Finch in just 79 balls.

After Finch’s departure, Warner, along with the captain, Steve Smith continued to take the attack to the South African bowlers and smashed them all around the park. Both the batsmen went on to score swashbuckling centuries. The South African bowlers had nothing to show for during this massacre. Dale Steyn, who is the most fearsome bowlers in the world had a night to forget as he conceded 96 runs in 10 overs. Australia managed a mighty total of 371-6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Australia thought they had the game in the bag but it was not to be. The ghosts of 2006 came back to haunt them as South Africa managed to pull off a nail-biting victory with 5 balls to spare. By doing so, they achieved the 2nd highest run chase in an ODI.

David Miller was the architect of the chase with a magnificent 118 off 79 deliveries, despite having a slight injury in his right leg. Miller had a worthy partner in Andile Phehlukwayo who scored 42 off 39 balls. The duo set up a partnership of 107 in 76 balls which turned out to be the difference between the two sides. Phehlukwayo’s big hitting in the last few overs took South Africa over the line.

Earlier in the innings, the Proteas had got off to a great start thanks to the openers Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock who scored 45 and 70 respectively at an phenomenal strike rate. Depsite the middle order not being able to stick around for too long, South Africa did not lose hope and got the job done.

#1 South Africa vs Australia at Johannesburg 2006

South African players celebrate after completing a world-record chase

South Africa 438/9 in 49.5 Overs vs Australia 434- in 50 Overs, Johannesburg 12 March 2006

Once again Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Oh God! They love to bat and bat and bat. In what was the 5-match series finale, Australia showed their authority over ODI cricket by posting a formidable total of 434 runs on the board.

Ricky Ponting played a wonderful knock of 164 runs off 105 balls which featured 9 sixes. The acceleration provided by Michael Hussey down the order (80 off 51 balls) ensured that Australia would post the then-highest target in ODI History. Not even a single bowler went for less than 7 runs per over.

South Africa in reply lost their first wicket in the 2nd over- but Smith and Gibbs smashed Australian bowlers for next 21 overs through every side of the New Wanderers Stadium. When South Africa lost their Smith for 90 (55), South Africa were 190-2 in 23rd over.

Gibbs’ 175 (111) kept the South African hopes alive and Mark Boucher made sure that they did not fall victim to the Australian bowling. In a nail-biting finish, Mark Boucher struck the 2nd last ball of the match over the mid-on fielder to seal a one-wicket win over Aussies. Gibbs and Ponting- both were awarded men of the match award.

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Edited by Staff Editor