The peaks: Highest ODI totals of top five teams in women’s cricket
Women’s cricket has been creating great interest among cricket fans in recent years. The 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was watched by millions of fans all over the world. The similar attraction was seen for the earlier concluded ODI World cup as well. With batting-friendly pitches and rise of T20 cricket in recent times, big scores are often being scored by teams in ODI cricket. Three of the top-4 highest totals in ODI cricket have come in the last 3 years. In this article, we are going to list out the highest totals for Top-5 Teams in Women’s ODI cricket.
South Africa – 337/5
South Africa made their highest total in ODI against Ireland when they scored 337 runs in 50 overs in 2017. For them, their opener batter Laura Wolvaardt played a knock of 149 runs off 149 balls, including 17 fours. Wicket-keeper Trisha Chetty too played a handy knock of 70 runs in 77 balls. Chasing this target, Ireland could only score 159/8 in 50 overs, and were defeated by 178 runs.
India – 358/2
India registered their highest ODI total of 358/2 against Ireland in the year 2017. Indian openers Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut both scored centuries and added 320 runs for the first wicket. This is still the highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s ODI cricket. Deepti played a brilliant knock of 188 runs off 160 balls which included 27 fours and 2 sixes. Punam Raut scored 109 runs off 116 balls with the help of 11 fours. Chasing a huge target of 359 runs, Ireland were bowled out for 109 runs losing the match by 249 runs.
England – 378/5
England scored their highest ODI total against Pakistan when they made 378/5 in 2016. For them, both their openers Lauren Winfield-Hill and Tammy Beaumont scored hundreds. Winfield-Hill made 123 runs off 117 balls while Beaumont scored 104 runs off 116 balls. Natalie Sciver who came to bat at number-4 played a blistering knock of 80 runs off just 33 balls to give a big push to team score in final overs. Pakistan were all out for 166 runs in chase and lost the match by 212 runs.
Australia – 412/3
Australian Opener Belinda Clark created history when she hit first-ever double hundred in ODI cricket in 1997. This match was played between Australia and Denmark in which Australia made 412/3 in 50 overs. This is still the highest total for Australia in Women’s ODI cricket. Belinda Clark played a historic knock of 229 runs of 155 balls in this match. Australia won this match by a huge margin of 363 runs as Denmark were bowled out for 49 runs in the second innings.
New Zealand – 491/4
New Zealand hold the record for scoring most runs in an innings in Women’s ODI cricket. They registered a total of 491/4 against Ireland in an ODI match in the year 2018. Kiwi opener and captain Suzie Bates scored 151 runs off 94 balls including 24 fours and 2 sixes. Maddy Green who came to bat at number-3 played a superb knock of 122 runs in 77 balls. Amelia Kerr too played a vital knock of 81 runs off 45 balls. Ireland were bowled out for 144 runs chasing this target, and Kiwi team thus registered a big win of 347 runs in the match.
