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Australia has unarguably been a force to be reckoned with in every format of cricket. Few argue whether the men from down under have been better at test cricket or ODIs. They have been blessed with some of the best batters in the history of the sport. These batters have ensured that Australia has won the ODI World Cup six times. In this article, we will take a look at the highest scores for Australia in ODIs.
Highest scores for Australia in ODIs
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Opposition | Fours | Sixes | Ground | Date |
| Glenn Maxwell | 201* | 128 | 157.03 | Afghanistan | 21 | 10 | Wankhede | 7th November, 2023 |
| Shane Watson | 185* | 96 | 192.7 | Bangladesh | 15 | 15 | Mirpur | 11th April, 2011 |
| Matthew Hayden | 181* | 166 | 109.3 | New Zealand | 11 | 10 | Hamilton | 20th February, 2007 |
| David Warner | 179 | 128 | 139.84 | Pakistan | 19 | 5 | Adelaide | 26th January, 2017 |
| David Warner | 178 | 133 | 133.83 | Afghanistan | 19 | 5 | Perth | 4th March, 2015 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 177* | 132 | 134.09 | Bangladesh | 17 | 9 | Pune | 11th November, 2023 |
| David Warner | 173 | 136 | 127.2 | South Africa | 24 | 0 | Cape Town | 12th October, 2016 |
| Mark Waugh | 173 | 148 | 116.89 | West Indies | 16 | 3 | Melbourne | 9th February, 2001 |
| Adam Gilchrist | 172 | 126 | 136.5 | Zimbabwe | 13 | 3 | Hobart | 16th January, 2004 |
| David Warner | 166 | 147 | 112.92 | Bangladesh | 14 | 5 | Nottingham | 20th June, 2019 |
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Glenn Maxwell, 201 runs
Glenn Maxwell arguably played the best knock in the history of ODI cricket against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. After Australia was set a target of 292 at Wankhede Stadium no one thought that it would prove to be as difficult for Australia as it turned out to be in the second innings. Australia lost seven wickets with just 91 runs on the boards when skipper, Pat Cummins joined Maxwell. The duo then shared a 202-run stand. But the 202-run stand for the eighth wicket was not one of the talking points as Maxwell played a historic knock.
On his way to single-handedly win the match for Australia, the all-rounder broke multiple records. Maxwell became the first person to score a double-century in ODIs while chasing. He became the first double-centurion for Australia in ODIs and the first player to score a double-century while not opening in ODIs. He did all this while cramping and was unable to move and run. Cummins while being at the non-striker end played a great second fiddle scoring 12 runs while lasting for 68 balls.
Shane Watson, 185 runs
Shane Watson was one of the greatest all-rounders from Australia. The top-order batter ranks second on this list for the highest scores for Australia in ODIs. After the 2011 ODI World Cup, Australia remained in the sub-continent and toured Bangladesh. In the second ODI at Mirpur, Bangladesh scored 229 runs in the first innings.
Watson made sure that the chase was a stroll in the park for the Michael Clarke-led side. Opening the innings, Watson scored 185 runs in just 96 balls while hitting 15 fours and sixes each. Watson scored nearly 80% of the runs Australia scored in the match including extras.
Matthew Hayden, 181 runs
Arguably one of the greatest openers the game has seen, Matthew Hayden ranks third on this list. Hayden in an ODI against trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand scored 181 runs in just 166 balls hitting 11 fours and 10 sixes. Australia ended up with a score of 346 runs but unfortunately for them and Hayden, New Zealand chased down the total in the final over with three balls and a wicket remaining.
David Warner, 179 runs
If there ever will be a list of the most fearsome batters in cricket history, David Warner would rank pretty high on it. Once in his groove, Warner rarely makes a team regret facing him. His favourite opponent over the years has been Pakistan and he unleashed his wrath on the ‘Men in Green’ during an ODI in 2017.
Warner while batting first scored 179 runs in just 128 balls hitting 19 fours and five sixes. He was greatly supported by his opening partner at the other end, Travis Head who too scored a century. Australia scored 369 runs in the first innings, a total which proved to be out of reach of the Pakistan team who lost the match by 57 runs.
David Warner, 178 runs
Making their debut in World Cups, Afghanistan had a horrid time in the 2015 ODI World Cup. One of those horrible matches came against the hosts, Australia and it was once again David Warner who made the Afghanistan bowlers and fielders do all the work. Warner scored 178 runs in the first innings while Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell scored half-centuries. The hosts ended up with a score of 417 runs and eventually won the match by 275 runs.
Mitchell Marsh, 177 runs
Mitchell Marsh, the make-shift opener for Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup till the time Travis Head recovered was one of the best openers of the tournament. But in a crucial game against Bangladesh, while batting at number three, he proved why he was great at any position in the batting line-up. Bangladesh thanks to a half-century from Towhid Hridoy and a few good starts from Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah made 306 runs in the first innings.
Australia lost their hard-hitting opener, Travis Head early in the second innings. Marsh stitched up century partnerships with David Warner and Steve Smith and scored a scintillating century. He scored 177 runs in 132 balls hitting 17 fours and nine sixes while Warner and Smith hit half-centuries. With the help of his match-winning century, Australia clinched the victory with 8 wickets and 32 balls remaining.
David Warner, 173 runs
David Warner features on this list for the fourth time for having scored the joint seventh-highest score for Australia in ODIs. Just like many scores on this list, this too came in a chase. South Africa scored 327 runs during an ODI in Cape Town.
Australia in the second lost wickets on a regular basis while David Warner remained stuck at one end. The Australia opener scored 173 runs in 136 balls hitting 24 fours before being run out. Australia eventually lost the match by 31 runs.
Mark Waugh, 173 runs
The oldest player to feature on this list, Mark Waugh ranks joint seventh on this list. During a Carlton Series final, Australia while batting first scored 338 runs against the West Indies. Mark Waugh contributed significantly towards the totals as the younger brother of the Waugh twins scored 173 runs in 148 balls. In his innings, Waugh smashed 16 fours and three sixes. Australia won the match by 39 runs as the West Indies were bowled out in the second innings.
Adam Gilchrist, 172 runs
Adam Gilchrist redefined and revolutionised the role of wicket-keeper batter in cricket. Prior to his debut, a wicket-keeper was accepted if he or she was good with the gloves but since his debut and long after his retirement he made sure that every team looks at a wicket-keeper with a batting point of view as well.
During an ODI against Zimbabwe, while batting first, Adam Gilchrist scored 172 runs in 126 balls hitting 13 fours and three sixes. Australia scored 344 runs in the first innings which in the end was too much for Zimbabwe who lost the match by 148 runs.
David Warner, 166 runs
It is only fitting that this list ends with David Warner. For the fourth time, the left-handed opener features on this list. During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Warner was having a great time at the top of the order scoring runs in almost every match.
In a game against Bangladesh, Warner scored 166 runs in 147 balls hitting 14 fours and five sixes. Australia ended up with a match-winning total of 381 runs in the first innings. Bangladesh failed to chase the target and lost the match by 48 runs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia’s record of highest ODI scores provides an intriguing look into the diverse range of skills that has graced Australian cricket throughout the years. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Glenn Maxwell’s incredible 201-run innings against Afghanistan stand out as a historic moment that perfectly embodies skill and perseverance under duress. Maxwell’s historic double-century while chasing not only gave Australia the advantage but also demonstrated his unrivalled batting ability. Similar to this, Shane Watson’s brilliant 185-run innings against Bangladesh in 2011 demonstrated his effortless ability to dominate opposition assaults, paving the way for an overwhelming Australian triumph.
In addition, the list includes notable figures like Adam Gilchrist, David Warner, and Matthew Hayden, who have all made a lasting impression on the sport with their outstanding accomplishments. Warner’s unrelenting aggression and Gilchrist’s innovative style as a wicket-keeper-batsman have both made a lasting impression on Australian cricket history. The depth of talent in Australian cricket is further demonstrated by Mitchell Marsh’s outstanding century in the 2023 ODI World Cup, which he achieved under duress, and Mark Waugh’s significant performance in a Carlton Series final. Taken as a whole, these high-scoring innings not only showcase the individual genius of these players but also represent Australia’s continuous domination in the ODI format, solidifying its place as a global cricket superpower.
