Five lowest defended totals in history of ODI World Cup

Over the years the cricket fraternity has been a witness to many low-scoring games where the bowlers ruled the show and took their respective teams to the finishing line despite the paltry totals put by the batsmen on the scoreboard. In this article, let’s take a look at the 5 lowest defended totals in the history of the ODI World Cup.

Canada vs Bangladesh, 2003 World Cup – 180

Playing at Kingsmead, Canada registered a stunning victory over Bangladesh by a whopping 60 runs during the ICC 2003 World Cup. Winning the toss, Canada could only manage 180 runs on the board on the back of 42 scored by Ian Billcliff. Chasing 181, Bangladesh were bundled out for 120 runs as Austin Codrington took a five-wicket haul to script history.

England vs South Africa, 2011 World Cup – 171

It was the bowlers game at MA Chidambaram Stadium between England and South Africa during the 2011 World Cup. Batting first, England racked up a score of 171 runs as Ravi Bopara scored a sublime knock of 60 runs. For SA, Imran Tahir took 4 wickets while Robin Peterson had three under his belt. In reply to 171 runs, Proteas could only score 165 runs as England pace spearhead Stuart Broad picked as many as 4 wickets. Hashim Amla was the highest run-getter for Proteas with 42 runs.

Kenya vs West Indies, 1996 World Cup – 167

Kenya and West Indies were up against each other at Nehru Stadium in Pune during the 1996 World Cup when the former scripted history by bundling out West Indies for a paltry total of 93 runs and winning by a stunning 73 runs. It won’t be wrong to say that the bowlers completely ruled the show as batting first, Kenya could only score 167 runs. The West Indies batsmen couldn’t take advantage of the low total as no player crossed 20 runs and the whole team collapsed for just 93 runs.

England vs Pakistan, 1979 World Cup – 165

Playing against Pakistan in the league match of the 1979 ICC World Cup at Headingley, England registered a below-par total of 165 runs in 50 overs as they were rattled by Pakistan bowlers Sikander Bakht and Majid Khan returned with three wickets each. In reply, Pakistan couldn’t do much as the English bowlers launched an assault on the opposition batting line-up and were successful in defending a paltry total. Owing to the heroics by Mike Hendrick, who picked 4 wickets, Pakistan were all-out at 151 runs and England won the game by 14 runs.

Zimbabwe vs England, 1992 World Cup – 134

Zimbabwe and England were up against each other in a league match of ICC ODI World Cup 1992 at Lavington Sports Oval on March 8, 1992. Put to bat first, Zimbabwe, led by Dave Houghton, delivered an underwhelming performance as they were bundled out for a paltry total of 134 runs. Sir Ian Botham and Richard Illingworth were the picks of the bowlers for the England side as they returned with three wickets each while Dave emerged as the highest run-getter for his side with 29 runs. Chasing 135 was no big deal for England but the bowlers ruled the show. With their disciplined action, Zimbabwe managed to restrict the opposition at a total of 125 runs and won the game by 9 runs. Eddo Brandes was the wrecker-in-chief for Zimbabwe with 4 scalps.