Five Teams That Can Break England's Record Of Highest ODI Total

Exactly one year before the 2019 World Cup, England sent a statement of intent to their rivals by breaking the previous highest ODI total record, when they scored 481 runs against Australia in 50 overs in June 2018. The English team would go on to clinch the maiden World Cup title as well, but one year before they had truly achieved something incredible.

Surpassing their own previous best record of 443 runs which England scored against Pakistan in 2016, they etched their names in the history books forever.

However, as the old adage goes – ‘Record are meant to be broken’, so England’s 481 run tally will be bettered one day in the near future.

Having said that, here is a list of five teams, that we reckon, are best placed to break England’s ODI total record of 481 runs.

Five teams who can break England’s ODI Total of 481 runs:

5) Pakistan

Currently ranked at number six in the ICC ODI team rankings, Pakistan have a talented bunch of players who have a potential of doing the unthinkable. The likes of Fakhar Zaman, Abid Ali, and Babar Azam have all been doing well for the past couple of years.

To score a huge total of 481, one of the openers, will have to take the initiative, and this is where Pakitan have the upper hand as they have decent players in their top order.

Experienced campaigners like Sarfaraz Ahmed can also come handy can contribute from the middle order.

Certainly, the Green Army won’t be favourites to break England’s mammoth ODI total, but they can be one of the contenders surely.

4) South Africa

The Proteas have already created the highest ODI records twice, so they know all about breaking mammoth totals and surpassing them.

In 2006, South Africa created the highest ODI total record, when they demolished Australia, en route to scoring 438 runs. Herschelle Gibbs scored 175 runs off just 111 balls back then.

Later in 2015, South Africa again reached the 438 run total, against India in an ODI in Mumbai, where AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis scored a century each.

The current Proteas squad is going through a transitional phase, but they have some talented players who could challenge for England’s 481 in the upcoming years.

3) New Zealand

The Kiwis are currently ranked third in ICC’s ODI rankings, while they have reached the finals of two consecutive ODI World Cups in 2015, and 2019, surely this could not be a coincidence. New Zealand has a strong core of players, with just the right mix of youth and experience.

Their recent exploits in ODI cricket have been there for all to see, so there’s no denying the fact that one fine day, in their home conditions – where the grounds are relatively small – the black caps indeed go on to surpass England’s ODI total of 481.

Having said that, to do so, the impetus will lie on the likes of Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, and Ross Taylor to better England’s humongous tally.

2) India

Team India have been a batting team throughout history, they reached the ODI World 2019 semifinals after staying undefeated and barring the recent New Zealand tour, their form had been great.

The Men in Blue have big hitters such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul up the order, and Hardik Pandya at the middle, who can help in a late flourish as well. India’s trouble of No.4 slot has also been resolved now that Shreyas Iyer has settled well there.

So, when the time comes, the Indian team will surely fancy having a go at England’s record total in ODIs.

1) Australia

And, no brownie points if you guessed Australia would be top on this impressive list because frankly speaking, they have two of the most destructive openers in David Warner and Aaron Finch.

Even after these two monsters, opposition bowlers will have to tackle the likes of Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Marsh.

The Aussies’ highest score in ODI cricket currently stands at 434 for four, which came against South Africa in March 2006.

It was indeed, a long way back, but they have some really good players, and Australia even won the ODI World Cup 2015 on home soil.

Due to all these points, the Aussies will remain firm favourites to smash England’s tally of 481 runs in ODIs.