In cricket, there lies common wisdom for batsmen to convert the good start procured into a real big one which could, in turn, extend the case for themselves and assist them in cementing their place in the illustrious side. While the daddy hundreds scored had more often than not augured well for the individual and the team as a whole, who ended up winning crucial encounters, a few such knocks, unfortunately, couldn’t help the team cross the line. There were no flaws or shortcomings in their knock one could pinpoint, but the eventual outcome was a mere reflection of lack of team effort. Had the other batsmen chipped in, contributing vital runs in the team’s favour, result would have been completely different. In the below piece, we look at 5 highest individual scores in ODI cricket which ended on the losing side:
1. Charles Coventry – 194
This Zimbabwean batsman slammed such a massive score against Bangladesh during the 4th ODI at Bulawayo in 2009. The home team, who had won the toss, chose to bat first and piled up 312-8 in their 50 overs. Coventry indeed batted like a one-man-army, hammering 194 runs off 156 balls to push the total past 300. On the other hand, Enamul Haque jnr was the pick of the bowler for the visitors with a spell of 2-51.
The target, though, competitive was comfortably achieved by Bangladesh, who won the game by 4 wickets and 13 balls to spare. Tamim Iqbal was the star for the visitors with bat in hand, pummelling 154 off 138 balls to sail them through while Price sparked a glimmer of hope for Zimbabwe with a spell of 3-60.
2. Matthew Hayden – 181
A swashbuckling southpaw from Australia, who batted predominantly at the top of the order, Hayden smashed this wonderful knock against the Kiwis during the 3rd ODI at Hamilton in 2007. Australia having won the toss batted first and posted a commanding total of 346-5 in their 50 overs. Hayden stamped his authority during the innings, mustering 181 off just 166 balls to lay the requisite foundation.
Though a rarity in those times, the target was comfortably achieved by the Kiwis, who completed the chase by 1 wicket and 3 balls to spare. McMillan showcased his batting prowess this time around, stroking a quality innings of 117 off 96 balls to take the hosts past the finishing line.
3. Evin Lewis – 176
Another hard-hitting, attacking southpaw from the Windies, Lewis chronicled the knock against England during the 4th ODI at Kennington Oval, London in 2017. The hosts, who won the toss, put the Windies team into bat, who went on post a mammoth total of 356-5 in their 50 overs. Lewis was the shining light for the visitors, who scored 176 off 130 balls and ably supported by skipper Holder, who chipped in with 77 off 62.
Owing to incessant rains, the match had to be called off mid-way, handing the hosts a victory by 6 runs (D/L method), who were ahead of the expected score of 253 in 35.1 overs, owing to a gritty innings of 84 off 66 balls by Roy and 48 off 25 balls by Ali. Though it was an unforeseen end to a probable nerve-wracking contest, it did establish Lewis as the fierce striker of the cricket ball at the highest level.
4. Sachin Tendulkar – 175
If it is a batting record, Tendulkar’s name in the list is a near necessity. The Master Blaster scored this whirlwind knock against Australia during the 5th ODI at Hyderabad in 2009. The visitors, who had won the toss, had no hesitation in batting first and posted a gargantuan score of 350-4 in their 50 overs. Openers Marsh and Watson were the top-scorers, with innings of 112 off 112 balls and 93 off 89 balls respectively.
India in the intimidating presence of Tendulkar, who blasted a knock of 175 off 141 balls, did their best to get near the Aussie total, managing 347 in 49.4 overs and losing the contest by just 3 runs. The eventual result, though, went in the favour of Australia, it couldn’t take the focus away from Tendulkar, who had once again won the cricketing world with his batting masterclass.
5. David Warner – 173
This impeccable southpaw from Australia accomplished the momentous landmark against the Proteas during the 5th ODI at Cape Town in 2016. Having won the toss, the hosts were highly obliged to bat first and went onto post 327-8 in their 50 overs on the back of a commendable knock of 122 off 118 balls by Rossouw and 73 off 75 balls by Duminy. Joe Mennie, the right-arm medium pacer worked his magic with the ball with figures of 3-49.
The target, though, not the biggest going around, proved enough for the Africans to procure a result in their favour. The visitors were bundled out for 296, who could reach there owing to a brilliant innings of 173 off 136 balls by Warner. Tahir played his part with the ball, picking 2-42 and helping his side win the contest by a convincing margin of 31 runs.
