Chasing a target in any form of the cricket takes a lot of skills. After all, it is not just about how to face a bowler. It’s also about how to read the fielding team’s tactics and reading the bowlers and what not. Chasing a small and medium target is pretty much an easy thing. On the other hand, chasing a bi target is an art.
After all, he statistics suggest that target of over 350 runs is something which can be termed as a cakewalk. However, some teams have managed to chase down way beyond the 350-run-mark. In this listicle, we will discuss the top three highest chases in the history of the ODI cricket.
Three Highest Chases
1. South Africa vs Australia 2006
Fans might remember this ODI game played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg. In the game, the then-Ricky Ponting-led side won the toss and elected to bat first. Thanks to the batting performances from the top-five batters, the team recorded the then highest total, i.e 434/4.
Ricky Ponting (164), Adam Gilchirst (55), Simon Katich (79), Michael Hussey (81), and Andrew Symonds (27*) led the charge for the Kangaroos. In reply, the likes of the then skipper Graeme Smith (90) and Herschelle Gibbs (175) kept the team in hunt. However, Nathan Bracken’s five-wicket haul was taking the game away from the Proteas. In the end, the home team won by one wicket as they scored 438/9.
2. South Africa vs Australia 2016
Another South Africa vs Australia game features in the list. Almost 10 years after pulling off a heist, the Proteas record another historic chase against the Aussies. In the ODI game played in Durban, the Kangaroos amassed 371/6, thanks to David Warner (117), Aaron Finch (53), Steve Smith (108).
In reply, the home team had a good start but eventually were reduced to 265/6. After this, the likes of David Miller (118*) and Andile Phehlukwayo (42*) put together unbeaten 107 runs for the seventh wicket to take their team home.
3. England vs West Indies 2019
Few months before lifting their maiden ODI World Cup, the Three Lions recorded the third highest chase in the history of the 50-over game. In a game against the West Indies in Barbados, the home team amassed 360/8, thanks to Chris Gayle (135), Shai Hope (64), Dareen Bravo (40), and Ashley Nurse (25*).
In reply, thanks to the hundreds from Jason Roy and Joe Root, and skipper Eion Morgan’s fifty, the team chased down the total in just 48.4 overs. They had six wickets in hand as well.