Australia is by far the most successful team as far as ODI cricket is concerned. As one of the dominant sides in the ODI format, Australia has expectedly won the most games in One Day International (ODI) cricket. They have won more than 590 ODI games, which is again the best for a team that has played over 950 ODIs.
This success can be attributed to their consistency as a team, and historically, Australia has had plenty of match-winners throughout their ODI journey. They perform as a team on most occasions and make sure the side looks dominant on the cricket field.
There is a saying that batsmen win matches but bowlers win games, and this is really true with Australia. But Australia’s batters are not less than their bowlers. Their batters have rarely failed as a unit in white-ball cricket, and in case one of their batters failed, the rest have stepped up. This has been their mantra of success over the years.
In this article, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest individual scores for Australia in ODI cricket.
Highest Individual Scores in ODI for Australia
| Player | Runs (Balls) | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | 201* (128) | Afghanistan | Wankhede | 7 Nov 2023 |
| Shane Watson | 185* (96) | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 11 Apr 2011 |
| Matthew Hayden | 181* (166) | New Zealand | Hamilton | 20 Feb 2007 |
| David Warner | 179 (128) | Pakistan | Adelaide | 26 Jan 2017 |
| David Warner | 178 (133) | Afghanistan | Perth | 4 Mar 2015 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 177* (132) | Bangladesh | Pune | 11 Nov 2023 |
| Mark Waugh | 173 (148) | West Indies | Melbourne | 9 Feb 2001 |
| David Warner | 173 (136) | South Africa | Cape Town | 12 Oct 2016 |
| Adam Gilchrist | 172 (126) | Zimbabwe | Hobart | 16 Jan 2004 |
| David Warner | 166 (147) | Bangladesh | Nottingham | 20 Jun 2019 |
Key insights from the above stat
22: There have been over 22 instances of an Aussie batsman scoring over 150 or more in ODI cricket.
201: Glenn Maxwell smashed the highest individual score for Australia in ODIs as he scored an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. This is also the highest individual score in the Cricket World Cup while chasing a target.
185: This is the second-highest individual score by an Australian batter in the One Day International format. Shane Watson scored a sensational unbeaten 185 against Bangladesh in Mirpur just after the ICC World Cup 2011, and this was also the second-most ever runs scored in an innings while chasing. Bangladesh made a mere 229 batting first, and Shane Watson’s breathtaking 185 off just 96 deliveries paved the way for a crushing 9-wicket victory for the Aussies with 24 overs to spare.
Also Read | The Top 10 Australian All-Rounders of All Time
181: Matthew Hayden’s highest score in the ODIs, and this came against Australia’s arch-rivals New Zealand at Hamilton, but unfortunately, the left-hander’s belligerent 166-ball knock couldn’t ensure an Aussie win. Batting first, the visiting team made a whopping 346 in their quota of 50 overs, but ultimately it was overhauled by an even more spectacular knock of 117 from McMillan, which resulted in a one-wicket win for New Zealand.
6: Out of the 22 scores of 150 or more for Australia, David Warner has surpassed the landmark record 6 times, and it is an all-time streak in Australian ODI cricket history. With scores of 179, 178, 173, 166, 163, and 156 in ODIs, Warner finds himself on this list a stunning 6 times. The veteran opener is known to play big daddy knocks in both the longer formats, and this is just an example. Shane Watson, former skipper Aaron Finch, Andrew Symonds, and Matthew Hayden have all hit 150 or more in an ODI innings, twice each.
172: Adam Gilchrist’s knock against Zimbabwe at Perth remained the highest-ever ODI score by a wicketkeeper until it was broken a year later by MS Dhoni (183*). Regarded as one of the finest keepers in cricket history, Gilchrist’s mighty 172 in 128 balls demolished the hapless Zimbabwe side as Australia registered a 148-run win over them after amassing 344 runs on the board.
164: Ricky Ponting’s knock in the famous ODI at Johannesburg makes it to the list in the 7th spot. The then-Aussie skipper scored a 105-ball 164 on what was a belter of a surface at the Wanderers, where we saw the first-ever 400-plus score (434) in ODIs. The record was short-lived as South Africa chased down the target in what was a last-over thriller, making it one of the best ODI games ever.
2: Like Warner, Watson and Hayden also make it to the list more than once. While Watson’s 161* resulted in a win over England at Melbourne in 2011, Hayden’s 158 came in the 2007 World Cup clash in the Caribbean against the West Indies at Antigua.
