Is England’s destruction of South Africa the biggest victory by runs in the history of ODI cricket?
What are the largest margins of victory by runs in ODIs?
We have the best and most accurate information about the largest victory margins by runs in ODI cricket.
Read on for more about the biggest wins for the team bowling second in ODIs.
1. England: 342 runs
- vs South Africa, Southampton, 2025
South Africa had slipped to their worst ever defeat by runs in ODI cricket at the hands of Australia just a few weeks earlier, but in England things got even worse.
England posted a huge total of 415 on the back of centuries from Joe Root and Jacob Bethell before handing the ball to Jofra Archer to do even more damage.
He obliged, really well, in the opening powerplay. Brydon Carse played an outstanding support role. The Proteas fell to their second lowest ODI total ever and the biggest defeat by runs in the history of the format.
2. India: 317 runs
- vs Sri Lanka, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023
The record for the biggest ODI victory by runs belongs to India, who annihilated Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the third ODI of their series in January 2023.
Batting first, India piled on 390 for 5, thanks largely to Virat Kohli’s sublime 166 not out from just 110 balls. Shubman Gill also contributed a classy century. The Sri Lankan bowlers were pummelled all over the Greenfield Stadium, as India’s batting machine clicked into top gear.
In response, Sri Lanka never looked like mounting a challenge. Mohammed Siraj ripped through the top order with four for 32, while Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav applied the finishing touches.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 73 in just 22 overs, handing India a record-breaking 317-run victory.
3. Australia: 309 runs
- vs Netherlands, Delhi, 2023
Later in the same year, Australia stamped their authority at the 2023 World Cup with another huge win, this time against associate outfit, the Netherlands. Batting first in Delhi, Glenn Maxwell stole the show with one of the most breathtaking innings ever seen in World Cup history.
His 106 from 44 balls lit up the Arun Jaitley Stadium, following on from David Warner’s commanding 104. Australia ended on 399 for 8, setting the Dutch an impossible target.
The Netherlands never got going, collapsing under the pressure of Australia’s pace attack. Adam Zampa picked up four for eight, and the entire innings folded for 90 in under 22 overs.
The 309-run margin is still the second largest in ODI history and it remains Australia’s biggest ever win.
4. Zimbabwe: 304 runs
- vs United States of America, Harare, 2023
One of the most surprising entries in this list came during the 2023 World Cup Qualifier in Harare. Zimbabwe, desperate to secure a place at the main event, unleashed their full might on the USA.
Batting first, Zimbabwe’s top order fired collectively, led by Sean Williams’ whirlwind 174 from 101 balls. His knock ensured Zimbabwe stormed to 408 for 6, their second-highest ODI total.
The USA batting lineup was no match for the experienced Zimbabwean attack. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani struck early, and the visitors were dismissed for just 104.
The 304-run margin showcased Zimbabwe’s ability to dominate when their batting clicks, and it remains one of the standout results in associate-level competition.
5. India: 302 runs
- vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai, 2023
The 2023 World Cup was littered with one-sided contests, and India featured prominently again when they crushed Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. After electing to bat first, India’s top order once again shone.
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill struck fifties, but the star was Shreyas Iyer, whose 82-ball 82 helped India amass 357 for 8. Against India’s seamers under the lights, Sri Lanka stood no chance.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah blew away the top order, with both openers removed for first-ball ducks, while Mohammed Shami cleaned up the tail with a five-wicket haul. Sri Lanka lasted only 19.4 overs, bowled out for 55 – their lowest ever ODI total.
The result, a 302-run defeat, summed up the gulf between the two teams in that tournament. Sri Lanka’s best performer on the day was number ten batsman Kasun Rajitha who managed 14 runs.
Also read: Where does Cameron Green’s Mackay mayhem rank among 11 fastest ODI centuries?
6. New Zealand: 290 runs
- vs Ireland, Aberdeen, 2008
The fifth-largest ODI victory by runs came in 2008, when New Zealand crushed an inexperienced Ireland in Aberdeen. The Black Caps batted first and racked up a mammoth 402 for 2, with Brendon McCullum smashing 166 and James Marshall adding 161.
It was one of the most devastating opening partnerships in ODI history, as Ireland’s bowlers were taken apart from the outset with the Black Caps posting 274 before McCullum finally departed.
Ireland’s reply never gathered momentum. Kyle Mills and Tim Southee struck early, and the Irish were bowled out for just 112 in 28.4 overs. The 290-run victory was, at the time, a record margin and remains New Zealand’s biggest ODI win.
7. Australia: 276 runs
- vs South Africa, Mackay, 2025
The most recent addition to this list came in 2025, when Australia thrashed South Africa in Mackay.
While the game was a dead-rubber – South Africa won the opening two games of the three-match series – it didn’t matter to the Australians as they finally clicked into gear in the most electric of fashions.
Batting first Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head to the fight to the Protea bowlers with an opening stand of 250.
Even when the duo fell the punishment wasn’t over as Cameron Green set about scoring one of the fastest ever ODI centuries, adding to the Proteas woe with 55 ball 118.
When it was South Africa’s turn to bat they simply had no answer. Faced with a daunting run rate and following the loss of early wickets they capitulated to 155 all out with only Dewald Brevis (49 runs from 28 balls) providing any real sort of resistance.
8. Australia: 275 runs
- vs Afghanistan, Perth, 2015
The 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was filled with lopsided games, and one of the biggest came at the WACA in Perth.
Australia batted first and posted an enormous 417 for 6, their then-highest World Cup total. David Warner was unstoppable, hammering 178 from 133 balls, supported by Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.
Facing a near impossible chase, Afghanistan were blown away by the raw pace of Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc. They folded for 142 in just 37.3 overs, handing Australia a 275-run win.
9. South Africa: 272 runs
- vs Zimbabwe, Benoni, 2010
South Africa’s dominance over their neighbours was ruthlessly displayed in Benoni in 2010. Batting first, South Africa made 399 for 6, powered by a magnificent 129 from JP Duminy and 109 from AB De Villiers.
It was a display of clinical batting against an underwhelming Zimbabwe attack – for whom nine players turned an arm.
Zimbabwe never threatened to chase the score. Wayne Parnell, Rusty Theron and Albie Morkel sliced through the batting order, and the visitors were bundled out for 127. The margin of 272 runs remains South Africa’s largest ODI victory by runs.
10. South Africa: 258 runs
- vs Sri Lanka, Paarl, 2012
The ninth spot belongs to South Africa again, who thrashed Sri Lanka at Paarl in 2012. this time it was opener Hashim Amla with a composed 112 who set the tone.
He was ably supported Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiers who each weighed in with half-centuries as South Africa reached 301 for 8 on what is generally considered a slow and tricky surface.
While the total didn’t look as intimidating as some on this list, the Proteas’ bowlers made it seem insurmountable.
Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe ripped through the Sri Lankan lineup, dismissing them for just 43, their lowest-ever ODI total. The 258-run win highlighted South Africa’s firepower with both bat and ball, and it was a low point in Sri Lankan cricket.
Biggest ODI wins by runs – top 13 summary list
1. England: 342 runs
2. India: 317 runs
3. Australia: 309 runs
4. Zimbabwe: 304 runs
5. India: 302 runs
6. New Zealand: 290 runs
7. Australia: 276 runs
8. Australia: 275 runs
9. South Africa: 272 runs
10. South Africa: 258 runs
11. India: 257 runs
12. South Africa: 257 runs
13. Australia: 256 runs
Read next: Ranked – The 7 bowlers who reached 50 wickets in T20I cricket the fastest