On Tuesday, England broke the world record – which they had previously held – for the highest score in a men's one-day international when they blasted 481 against Australia at Trent Bridge. Incidentally, this came just days after New Zealand broke the corresponding record for women's cricket, when they smashed 490 against Ireland at Dublin.
Since the birth of international one-day cricket in the early 1970s, we look back at the instances this world record has changed hands, in men's and women's one-day internationals.
Men's cricket
(cut-off - 300)
334 – by England against India, Lord's, 1975 (60 overs match)
The first 300-plus total in one-day internationals, in the opening match of the 1975 World Cup. England's Dennis Amiss scored 137 but the Indians, new to the format, didn't show any intent in chasing the target. The match was otherwise known for Sunil Gavaskar's unbeaten 36 off 174 balls, as he batted through the 60 overs.
338 for 5 – by Pakistan against Sri Lanka, Swansea, 1983 (60 overs match)
In the 1983 World Cup, Mohsin Khan, Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad contributed to take Pakistan to 338. Sri Lanka, still new to international cricket, didn't do badly though, responding with 288.
360 for 4 – by West Indies against Sri Lanka, Karachi, 1987 (50 overs match)
Another World Cup, another world record and again Sri Lanka at the receiving end. This match is best remembered for Viv Richards' 181. Desmond Haynes too scored a century (105) in this one-sided match. Sri Lanka finished with 169 for 4.
363 for 7 – by England against Pakistan, Trent Bridge, 1992 (55 overs match)
England broke their own record, thanks to half-centuries by Robin Smith, Neil Fairbrother and Graeme Hick. Pakistan's menacing bowling attack of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed could do little to contain the hosts. Pakistan folded up for 165, losing by 198 runs. The ground of Trent Bridge was to witness more record totals in the years to come.
398 for 5 – by Sri Lanka against Kenya, Kandy, 1996 (50 overs match)
Just two short of the 400 mark, set by the team that went on to win that World Cup. Aravinda de Silva led the charge with 145, with help from Asanka Gurusinha (84) and Arjuna Ranatunga (75). Kenya responded with 254.
438 for 9 – by South Africa against Australia, Johannesburg, 2006 (50 overs)
One of the most thrilling one-day matches of all time, and till date the highest successful run chase. Ricky Ponting's 164 propelled Australia to 434, the first ever 400-plus score. The new record stood for just a few hours as the Australians got a rude shock. Herschelle Gibbs pounded 175 and it came down to a thrilling climax, with South Africa winning with a ball to spare.
443 for 9 – by Sri Lanka against Netherlands, Amstelveen, 2006 (50 overs)
The South Africans didn't get to savour the world record for too long as the Sri Lankans broke it just a few months later. Sanath Jayasuriya (157) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (117) took Sri Lanka to 443. Hosts Netherlands managed 248.
444 for 3 – by England against Pakistan, Trent Bridge, 2016 (50 overs)
Sri Lanka's record stood for ten years before England broke it. Alex Hales started the carnage with 171, and was supported by Joe Root (85) and Jos Buttler (90) as England edged past the record by one run. This Pakistan side fared slightly better than the 1992 outfit at the same venue, finishing with 275.
481 for 6 – by England against Australia, Trent Bridge, 2018 (50 overs)
England broke their record two years later at the same venue. It was Alex Hales leading the charge again, this time with 147, with big contributions from Jonny Bairstow (139), Jason Roy (82) and Eoin Morgan (67) against an Australian attack not at full strength. The battered Australians were bowled out for 239.
Women's cricket
(cut-off - 275)
279 for 3 – by England against Australia, Edgbaston, 1973 (60 overs)
It was only the 20th one-day international in the history of women's cricket. In the inaugural Women's World Cup, Enid Bakewell scored 118 to propel England to the first 275-plus score. Australia were no match, making 187.
284 for 1 – by Australia against Netherlands, Perth, 1988 (60 overs)
In the Women's World Cup of 1988, centuries by openers Lindsay Reeler and Ruth Buckstein helped Australia break the world record against minnows Netherlands. Netherlands suffered the most embarrassing of collapses, making only 29.
297 for 5 – by New Zealand against Netherlands, Sydney, 1988 (60 overs)
Openers Nicki Turner (114) and Jackie Clark (85) helped New Zealand come close to the 300 mark, during the World Cup. This time Netherlands fared marginally better in reply – they were bowled out for 87.
455 for 5 – by New Zealand against Pakistan, Christchurch, 1997 (50 overs)
A record that stood for 21 years. The women were the first to score in excess of 400, a record never witnessed at the time in men's ODI cricket. New Zealand got there with contributions from Maia Lewis (105), Debbie Hockley (88), Trudy Anderson (85) and Claire Nicholson (73). Pakistan collapsed to just 47, losing by a whopping 408 runs.
In the same year, there were five more scores of over 300, four of which were scored in the World Cup in India. But none could beat 455.
490 for 4 – by New Zealand against Ireland, Dublin, 2018 (50 overs)
New Zealand bettered their own record, after two decades. Suzie Bates and Maddy Green scored centuries, before Amelia Kerr scored 81 to push New Zealand close to 500. The hosts were bowled out for 144.
