Top 5 embarrassing defeats for England in ODIs

While England can proudly boast of being the pioneers of the game, one can say that they would not be too proud of their track record in One-Day Internationals. The Three Lions have traditionally been a force to reckon with in the longest format of the game. However, when it comes to 50-over cricket, there record has a left a lot to be desired.

Not only have they failed to win any global tournament so far, they have also suffered some absolutely humiliating defeats over the years. Recently, they lost their first-ever ODI against Scotland who even failed to make it to next year’s World Cup.

So here we are taking a look at 5 games where England ended up red-faced:

5. Against Zimbabwe – World Cup, Albury, 1992:

England lost by 9 runs against Zimbabwe and that game perhaps still remains the biggest upset in the history of World Cups. With England already assured of a semifinal berth, the game did not hold much importance.

It looked as if the game would be an one-way traffic when Zimbabwe were scuttled for 134 by the swing and spin of Ian Botham and Richard Illingworth. But then Eddo Brandes pinned Graham Gooch lbw with his very first ball to set the tone. He ended the game with figures of 4 for 21 as Zimbabwe went on to win the game by 9 runs.

4. Against West Indies at Kingstown, 1994:

Well losing to the mighty West Indies in the early 90s was not a matter of shame for any side in the world. However, the manner in which England were routed at Kingstown in 1994, the defeat would have been utterly embarrassing.

The series was locked at 1-1, when the teams headed to Kingstown. For England, only the toss went their way as they asked the hosts to bat first. Fifties from Desmond Haynes, Phil Simmons, Brian Lara and Richie Richardson helped West Indies pile up  313.

England, who had made the World Cup final a couple of years ago, were expected to put up a good fight. But what followed was a spectacular capitulation. West Indies’ 4-man pace attack (Ambrose, Anderson Cummins, Kenny Benjamin and Winston Benjamin), ran through the hosts as they finished on 148 for 9.

3. Against Sri Lanka, World Cup 2011:

The way England had tied the game against India while chasing a mammoth 338 and beat South Africa while defending 171 runs during the group stages of 2011 World Cup, everyone believed Andrew Strauss & Co. mean business. However, England’s poor record in the World Cups continued as they crashed out in the  quarterfinals and the 10-wicket defeat added salt to their wounds.

Batting first, England failed to put up a good performance on a batting surface. Jonathan Trott scored a laborious 86 off 115 balls as England could make only a paltry 229.

Their bowlers did even worse as Sri Lanka’s openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga made a mockery of them. Both the openers scored century as Sri Lanka chased down the total in 39.3 overs.

2. Against Ireland, World Cup, 2011:

In the 2011 World Cup, England were a part of some memorable games. In some, they ended with a smiling face and in some the opposition had the last laugh. Defeat against Ireland was one such game.

Ireland looked all but out of the game when England gave them a towering target of 328. In reply, Ireland were reeling at 111 for 5 as England strengthened their grip on the game. However, Kevin O’Brien played one of the best-ever World Cup knocks to take Ireland home.  He scored a 50-ball century and was eventually out for 113 in the penultimate over. But Ireland could not be denied as John Mooney and Trent Johnston hauled them over the line.

1. Against Scotland, 2018:

Ranked number one in the world and up against a side which even failed to qualify, England were the firm favourites to win the game when they took on Scotland. Well, the form and reputation went for a toss as Scotland came out all guns blazing.

Calum MacLeod’s outstanding century helped his team put up a record total of 371 for 5. England, riding on Jonny Bairstow’s whirlwind century, gave a good fight but eventually fell short by 6 runs.