Greatest Run Chases in ODI Cricket History

South Africa vs Australia: The 438 Game

Midway through the fifth and final ODI against South Africa in 2006, Australia would have been riding high, but the Proteas brought them crashing down by the final ball.

Records fell in both innings as both countries put on a performance for the ages.

The match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg began with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat, led by half-centuries from openers Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich.

Captain Ricky Ponting later joined in with a top score of 164 from 105 balls.

With the Proteas bowlers under siege, the fielding side’s experience was perhaps best summed up by Roger Telemachus’ disastrous string of four no-balls at the tail end.

It was not unreasonable to think the game was over before South Africa had faced a ball.

Australia ended their innings with the first-ever ODI total of above 400 and the highest-ever team total in ODI cricket with 434, leaving the Proteas shell-shocked.

However, Jacques Kallis’ quip in the dressing room might have made the difference: “Come on, guys: it's a 450-wicket. They're 15 short!"

Despite the early loss of Boeta Dippenaar for just one run, opener and skipper Graeme Smith stood steady alongside Herschelle Gibbs for a 187-run third wicket stand.

After the captain’s dismissal, AB de Villiers joined Gibbs at the crease.

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur had advised his team to aim for 185 from the first 25 overs but South Africa were almost 50 runs ahead at the halfway point.

When Gibbs was caught on 175, however, SA was still more than 130 runs short.

With South Africa needing 77 from 42 at one stage, reduced to 36 from 22 by a cameo by Johan van der Wath, the game came down to the last decisive over.

Brett Lee bowled the final six, with the Proteas eight wickets down.

With two runs needed, Makhaya Ntini scored a crucial single to leave Mark Boucher on strike, and the keeper’s last ball four over mid-on sparked rampant celebrations.

In a single game, Australia’s record total had been set and then surpassed.

South Africa claimed the highest successful ODI run chase in history, the highest team total in ODI second innings, and the game itself recorded the highest total score - 872.

The scoreboard show South Africa's World Record score//Getty Images

Conclusion

Considering the recent additions to the list of greatest run chases in ODI history, it’s likely even more epic moments will get us talking for years to come.

Cricket fans are looking forward to the emotion and the big moments.