OTD in 2018: The biggest ODI team total ever in women’s cricket – 491 for 4 by New Zealand Women against Ireland Women in Dublin

Discover the historic moment in 2018 when New Zealand Women scored the highest ODI team total ever against Ireland Women. Three years ago, on June 8, the New Zealand women’s cricket team stunned the cricketing world with their ruthless batting display against Ireland Women. The Black Caps accumulated 491 runs for the loss of four wickets in 50 overs, the then-highest-ever score in all ODI cricket.

During their 2018 tour of Ireland and England, New Zealand captain Suzie Bates won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ODI. Bates opened the innings with Jess Watkin and showed their intent right from the word go. The skipper led from the front with an innings of 151 off 94 balls, including 24 fours and two sixes. She stitched a first-wicket stand of 172 with Watkin (62 off 59).

The partnership was broken in the 19th over, but Bates got another companion in Maddy Green, who also notched up a brilliant century. Green scored 122 runs off 77 balls with the help of 15 fours and a six while forging a 100+ run partnership with her captain. The visitors were 317/3 in 34 overs.

Green hung on till the 44th over while the final burst was made by Amelia Kerr. The then 17-year-old scored a quick-fire 81* off 45 and also threatened to break the 500-run barrier. New Zealand were 471/4 in 49 overs and they could only add 20 more runs to the scorecard. Every Irish bowler conceded an economy of more than nine.
This is still a record in women’s cricket, but the all-time highest score in ODIs is held by the England men’s teams, who piled up 498 runs for the loss of four wickets against the Netherlands in 2022.

The game was done dusted in the first half of the first innings. A hapless Ireland side were bundled out for 144 to hand the Kiwis a humongous victory of 347 runs. Right-arm spinner Leigh Kasperek was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as she picked up four wickets at an economy of 6.80.