Video Article: Greatest International Run Chases
14 June 2024; Auckland
Chasing down a mammoth score unshackles the batsmen; they play with rare freedom. If the stroke makers keep their nerve to the end, it is a spectacular occasion that is enjoyed by the cricket fans as boundaries are intermingled with the "will they/wont they" nervous tension of a record run chase.
This article summarises the greatest run chases of all time, in all 3 formats of the international game.
Record T20 Chases
The Proteas chased down a mammoth 259 against the West Indies at SuperSport Park in the 2nd T20 in March 2023. Openers Quintan de Kock (100) and Reeza Hendricks (68) blasted 150 in 10 overs, a record fast start in T20 history as the South Africa breeezed past the target with 7 balls to spare.
On a day that many records tumbled, Australia scored a massive 245-5 which is was the highest successful run-chase in T20 history, at the time Earlier, Martin Guptil's century powered New Zealand to an imposing 243-6 during the 2018 Trans Tasman match at Eden Park (Feb 2018).
Australia overtook the previous highest chase of 236 which the Windies chased down in South Africa in Jan 2015.
Here is the list of the top T20 chases:
- 259; South Africa vs West Indies at SuperSport Park in March 2023
- 245: Australia vs New Zealand at Eden Gardens in Feb 2018
- 236; West Indies vs South Africa at New Wanderers Stadium in Jan 2015
- 230; England vs South Africa at Wankhede Stadium in March 2016.
- 215; Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka at RPS in March 2018.
- 211; India vs Sri Lanka at Mohali in Dec 2009
- 208; South Africa vs West Indies at New Wanderers Stadium in Sept 2007
Record ODI Chases
At high altidtude, the ball flies higher and faster through the thin air. Both South Africa and Australia set record scores during their memorable ODI in Johannesburg in March 2006. The 438 posted by South Africa remains the highest ever ODI chase.
Here is the list of the top ODI chases:
- 438; South Africa vs Australia at New Wanderers Stadium in March 2006
- 372; South Africa vs Australia at Kingsmead in October 2016
- 362; India vs Australia at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in October 2013
- 351; India vs Australia at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in October 2013
- 356; India vs England at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in January 2017
Record Test Chases
Chasing down even modest targets on a wearing 4th or 5th day pitch remains one of the greatest challenges for batsmen. Don Bradman's Invincibles team broke the equivalent of the "4 minute mile" barrier when they successful chased the first ever target of over 400 during the 1948 Ashes Test match at Leeds.
Here is the list of top Test match chases:
- 418; West Indies vs Australia at Antigua in May 2003
- 414; South Africa vs Australia at WACA Ground in Dec 2008
- 406; India vs West Indies Queen's Park Oval in April 1976
- 404; Australia vs England at Headingley in July 1948
- 395; West Indies vs Bangladesh at Chittagong in Feb 2021.
- 391; Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at R Premadasa Stadium in July 2017
Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter
Last Updated: 14 June 2024
Related videos
- Australia in world record chase after Warner, Short blitz: 2018 Trans Tasman T20 No 5 (Auckland)
-
Australia chased down a world record T20 target of 244 with seven balls to spare as David Warner (59 off 24 balls) and man of the match D'Arcy Short (76 off 44) ran riot with a century opening stand.
Earlier, opener Martin Guptill smashed a career best 105 off 54 balls, to set up an imposing total of 6-243. Fellow opener Colin Munro hit 76 off 33 balls as the pair added 132 runs.
In a tense chase that yielded a world record 32 sixes from both teams, Warner and Short put on 121. After a stumble at the end, Marcus Stoinis was run out at the non-striker's end in the second-last over before Aaron Finch sealed victory with a six.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in T20 history. See full list here.
Australia 245 for 5 (Short 76, Warner 59) beat New Zealand 243 for 6 (Guptill 105, Munro 76) by five wickets.
Feb 2018
- Gayle, Samuels star in world record chase: 2nd T20 (J'borg)
-
Chris Gayle hammered a 41-ball 90 and Marlon Samuels hit 60 in a 152-run partnership as West Indies made a winning 236/6 - the highest chase in T20I history.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis hit a 46-ball century in his team's total of 231 for seven - their second highest total in the shortest form of the game.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in T20 history. See full list here.
West Indies 236 for 6 (Gayle 90, Wiese 3-43) beat South Africa 231 for 7 (Du Plessis 119, Bravo 2-32) by four wickets.
Jan 2015
- India in record chase as Yuvraj fires: 2nd T20 (Mohali)
-
Yuvraj Singh 3-23 and 60 not out delivered a fine all round effort as India edged past Sri Lanka to square the two-match series by posting the highest T20 run chase ever.
Captain Kumar Sangakkara top scored with 59 as the tourists scored 206-7.
In reply, Virender Sehwag's 64 off 36 balls and Mahendra Dhoni 46 off 28 gave India a fast start. Yuvraj then saw India home with five balls remaining.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in T20 history. See full list here.
2nd T20 Mohali Dec 2009.
- 2 World Records - on one memorable day
-
A disbelieving crowd witnessed the greatest one day international of all as South Africa hit a world record 438 for 9 with one wicket and one ball to spare to beat Australia.
Ponting Gibbs Boucher and Kallis recall this memorable match. If the fans in the bullring were amazed at lunch having seen the visitors smash 434 for 4 with Ricky Ponting making 164 they would have been pinching themselves when Mark Boucher hit the winning runs off Brett Lee after Herschelle Gibbs had led the way with 175.
To cap it off, South Africa took the series 3-2 with this win. This world record was subsequently bettered by Sri Lanka as they notched 443 vs the Netherlands in July 2006.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in ODI history. See full list here.
5th ODI New Wanderers Stadium J'borg, Jan 2006.
- 2 World Records - on one memorable day
-
A disbelieving crowd witnessed the greatest one day international of all as South Africa hit a world record 438 for 9 with one wicket and one ball to spare to beat Australia.
Ponting Gibbs Boucher and Kallis recall this memorable match. If the fans in the bullring were amazed at lunch having seen the visitors smash 434 for 4 with Ricky Ponting making 164 they would have been pinching themselves when Mark Boucher hit the winning runs off Brett Lee after Herschelle Gibbs had led the way with 175.
To cap it off, South Africa took the series 3-2 with this win. This world record was subsequently bettered by Sri Lanka as they notched 443 vs the Netherlands in July 2006.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in ODI history. See full list here.
5th ODI New Wanderers Stadium J'borg, Jan 2006.
- Record run chase as de Kock powers South Africa home: 2nd ODI (SuperSport)
-
Records tumbled as Quinton de Kock smashed a hundred in 44 balls to ensure South Africa won by 6 wickets over the West Indies, with 7 balls remaining.
The Proteas pursuit of 259 is the highest T20 chase and the total match aggregate of 517 is also a T20 record.
Earlier, Johnson Charles brought up his maiden T20I hundred with a six, bringing up the milestone in just 39 deliveries and helping the Windies recovery from a jittery start. The visitors posted a healthy 258-5 with Kyle Myers hitting 51 in 27 balls.
In reply, De Kock (100 in 44 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (68 from 28 balls) shared an opening stand of 152. Skipper Aiden Markram hit an unbeaten 38 from 21 balls to take the Proteas over the line.
At this point in time, this was the highest run-chase in T20 history. See full list here.
West Indies 258-5 (20 overs): Charles 118 (46 balls), Mayers 51 (27), Shepherd 41 (18) lost to South Africa 259-4 (18.5 overs): De Kock 100 (44), R Hendricks 68 (28) by 6 wickets.
March 2023.
- Share with
- What are these?
 | Fraser-McGurk, Jake |
 | Saim Ayub |
 | Deep, Akash |
 | Nicolson, Ian A |
| Stone, Oliver P |
 | Reedman, John C |
| around the world |
|---|
|
|
|
| more... |
| CricketCrowd Articles |
|---|
|
|
|
| more... |
