Australia’s 6 largest ODI defeats by runs – February 2025 in Colombo among their worst

Jonhenry Wilson 17 Feb 2025

Australia suffered one of their largest ODI defeats by runs against Sri Lanka in February 2025.

Australia’s preparation for the Champions Trophy took a serious turn for the worse on Friday when they were resoundingly beaten by 174 runs by Sri Lanka.

The game, which was played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, saw the hosts, who did not even qualify for the Champions Trophy, post a score of 281 for four in their 50 overs. Kusal Mendis, with 101 from 115 balls, was the mainstay of the innings that also saw runs from skipper Charith Asalanka (78*) and Nishan Madushka (51).

Australia’s chase, which featured batsmen like Steve Smith, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, was a disaster as they were skittled for just 107 in 24.4 overs to hand the home side a massive win.

But how exactly does Friday’s loss stack up in terms of the biggest ever hidings (in terms of runs) dished out to an Australian ODI side? Here’s a breakdown of their biggest ever defeats.

6. Lost by 164 runs, chasing West Indies’ 255 – Perth, 4 January 1987

Back in 1987, Australia suffered one of their heaviest ODI defeats at the hands of a dominant West Indies side led by Sir Vivian Richards. Batting first, the West Indies posted 255 runs on a fast and bouncy WACA pitch, with Gordon Greenidge leading the way with a fine knock of 100 from 119 balls.

In response, Australia’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of the West Indian pace attack, spearheaded by Michael Holding (three for 32) and Tony Gray (7.4-0-9-3). They were bundled out for just 91 runs, marking one of their worst-ever batting performances in ODI history.

Also read: Top 10 highest scores on ODI debut – Matthew Breetzke beats Desmond Haynes’ world record

5. Lost by 174 runs, chasing Sri Lanka’s 281 – Colombo, 14 February 2025

This recent humiliation against Sri Lanka saw Australia collapse in dramatic fashion. After the hosts posted a competitive 281/4, thanks to a century from Kusal Mendis, Australia’s response was woeful.

From the outset, Sri Lanka’s bowlers applied relentless pressure, with early wickets from Asitha Fernando (three for 23) exposing Australia’s fragile batting order. Only a few players managed to reach double figures, and they were eventually bowled out for just 107 with Dunith Wellalage (four for 32) the pick of the bowlers. The 174-run margin enters the record books as Australia’s fifth biggest ODI loss.

4. Lost by 186 runs, chasing England’s 312 – London, 27 September 2024

A match that highlighted England’s white-ball dominance, this loss came at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. England, led by Harry Brook’s explosive 87 from 58 balls and a brisk 62* from 27 for Liam Livingstone, posted a commanding total of 312.

In reply, Australia never got going. The English bowling attack, featuring the likes of Jofra Archer, Matthew Potts and Adil Rashid, decimated the Aussie batting lineup. Australia managed a paltry 126 before being bowled out, suffering a 186-run hammering in the process.

3. Lost by 196 runs, chasing South Africa’s 289 – Cape Town, 3 March 2006

This game was part of a series that saw some of the most thrilling encounters between Australia and South Africa. However, this particular match was anything but thrilling for the Aussies.

Batting first, South Africa posted 289, with Justin Kemp (51 from 41) and Herschelle Gibbs (66 from 71) playing crucial innings. Australia’s response was shambolic. Makhaya Ntini was on fire he ripped Australia apart with career best figures of six for 22. Andre Nel chipped in with three for 30 as the Baggy Greens were dismissed for just 93 runs, handing them a crushing 196-run defeat.

What followed next of course, went down in history. Having taken a 2-0 lead in the series with this crushing win, Australia bounced back to level matters at 2-2, before the final game at eth Wanderers saw South Africa chase down Australia’s score of 434, to complete the highest ever ODI run chase and win the series.

2. Lost by 206 runs, chasing New Zealand’s 276 – Adelaide, 27 January 1986

One of Australia’s worst ODI performances came against their Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand. Batting first, New Zealand posted a challenging score of 277, thanks to a composed innings from John Wright (61 from 85) and Bruce Edgar (61 from 84).

Australia’s chase never got off the ground, as Black Cap openers Richard Hadlee (three for 14) and Ewen Chatfield (two for nine) tore through their batting order. They were skittled for just 70 runs, losing by a staggering 206 runs in front of their home crowd in Adelaide.

1. Lost by 242 runs, chasing England’s 481 – Nottingham 19 June 2018

The worst defeat in Australia’s ODI history came against England at Trent Bridge in 2018. England smashed a record-breaking 481/6 in their 50 overs, the highest total ever posted in ODI cricket at the time (England have since broken their own record with a score of 498 against the Netherlands).

Jonny Bairstow (139) and Jason Roy (82) shared an opening stand of 159 before Alex Hales (147) joined Bairstow and the duo added a further 151 for the second wicket. It was pure carnage with Andrew Tye going for 100 wicketless runs in nine overs (in what would be the last of his seven ODIs).

Faced with an impossible chase, Australia’s innings fell apart from the outset. England’s bowlers, led by Adil Rashid (four for 47), Moeen Ali (three for 28) and David Willey (two for 56), dismantled the Aussie lineup, bundling them out for just 239. The 242-run margin remains the biggest defeat Australia has ever suffered in ODI cricket.