On this day in 2018: England smash highest-ever score in ODIs against Australia

England piled up the biggest score in the history of One Day Internationals just three years ago. In the third match of the ODI series against Australia at Nottingham, they scored 481 for six in 50 overs. They had earlier scored 444/3 against Pakistan on 30 August 2016 in Nottingham itself. Alex Hales was instrumental in taking England to a record score against Australia. He scored 147 runs (16 fours and 5 sixes) in 92 balls.

England whitewashed Australia in this five-match series. In the third match, Jonny Bairstow (139 runs, 92 balls, 15 fours and 5 sixes) combined with Jason Roy (82 runs, 61 balls, 7 fours and 4 sixes) to add 159 runs in 117 balls for the first wicket. Roy’s runout broke the pair, after which Hales, along with Bairstow, added 151 runs in just 88 balls for the second wicket.

By the time Bairstow was dismissed off Ashton Agar in the 35th over, England’s score had reached 310. Jos Buttler (11) was dismissed cheaply, and after his departure, captain Eoin Morgan (67 runs, 30 balls, 3 fours and 6 sixes) took the lead with Hales and added a quick 124 runs in 59 balls to take the score past 450. In the 48th over, Richardson dismissed Hales and Morgan on successive deliveries.

Australia’s Andrew Tye had a bad day in this match. He conceded 100 runs in nine overs while Richardson, who took three wickets, gave 92 runs in 10 overs. The most economical bowler was Ashton Agar, who gave 70 runs in ten overs at an economy rate of seven.

England scored 481/6 which is now the third-highest team score in List A cricket. The record for the highest team score has been bettered by England who amassed 498/4 against Netherlands on 17th June.