Highest 10th wicket partnerships in successful ODI chases

The last pair stitching a big partnership and winning a game for their side is a rarity in any format. The no. ten and no.11 players snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat seems almost not possible but few pairs have achieved it in the 50-overs format. With the rest of the batting line-up failing to cross the line, the final pair have scripted some memorable run chases.

Let’s take a look at the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase (Top 3):

3.Thomas Odoyo and Hiren Varaiya (55*)

Kenya’s pair of Thomas Odoyo and Hiren Varaiya has registered the third-highest tenth-wicket partnership of 55* in a successful run-chase in one-day internationals. The duo achieved the feat against Ireland in Nairobi (Ruaraka) in 2007. The Irish batted first and posted 284/4 on the board in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, the hosts Kenyans found themselves at 231/9 in 43.4 overs. Odoyo and Varaiya then joined hands to seal a famous one-wicket for their team victory in 49 overs. The former amassed 61 off 36 with five fours and a maximum while Varaiya made five off 11.

2.James Faulkner and Clint McKay (57*)

The Australian duo of all-rounder James Faulkner and Clint McKay recorded the second-highest tenth-wicket partnership of 57* in ODIs. The instance came against England in Brisbane in 2014. The English side batted first and posted 300/8 on the board with Eoin Morgan smashing a ton (106). In reply, the hosts looked out of the run-chase with their score reading as 244/9 in 44 overs. Hard-hitter Faulkner, who already had a hundred to his name in ODIs, came to the rescue with McKay and finished off the chase in 49.3 overs. Faulkner struck 69* off just 47 with the help of three fours and five maximums while McKay played second fiddle and mustered two off nine.

1.Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts (64*)

West Indian pair Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts holds the record for the highest tenth wicket stand in a successful ODI chase. The pair did the impossible against Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup encounter in Birmingham. The Asian side batted first and managed 266/7 in their allotted 60 overs. The eventual champions West Indies found themselves in a big spot of bother at 203/9 and a Pakistan win looked evitable. But Murray and Roberts had other ideas as they stitched an unbeaten 64-run stand for the last wicket to seal the game with just two balls to spare. The former struck 61* off 76 with six fours while Roberts contributed with 24* off 48.