The recent match between England and South Africa in the third One Day International showcased a really big victory in cricket history. The game, which took place at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, saw England achieve a total of 414-5, resulting in a huge win by 342 runs. South Africa’s batting order fell apart, collapsing to 18-5 at the start of their innings and eventually being bowled out for only 72 runs in 20.5 overs. Although England had already lost the series 2-0, Jacob Bethell‘s first professional century of 110 and Jofra Archer‘s impressive 4-18 bowling stats made cricket history. This win not only beat India‘s previous record but also showed England’s amazing potential when their young players perform well with experienced players.
Top 5 biggest win margins in ODIs
- England’s record-breaking performance: Victory by 342 Runs – Southampton, September 7, 2025
In a display that marks the most significant showing in ODI history, England defeated South Africa by 342 runs at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. This notable margin overtook India’s prior record of 317 runs, setting a new standard for ODI dominance that might last for many years.
When England batted first, they put together their score mainly because of Bethell’s amazing first century. The 21-year-old left-handed player, who quickly entered all formats even with limited county experience, made a fantastic score of 110 off 82 balls. His innings included 13 fours and three sixes, really making an impression on the international stage. Bethell had a key 182-run partnership with Joe Root, who added a smooth 100 off 96 balls, before Jos Buttler increased the score late in the game with an unbeaten 62 from 32 balls.
England’s fifth-highest ODI total of 414-5 was created through strong batting and South Africa’s inconsistent bowling, which included 19 wides. But it was Archer who changed a good total into a record-breaking result. The fast bowler charged in at over 90 mph, taking 4-18 in nine overs and breaking down South Africa’s top order. Archer removed stand-in captain Aiden Markram with the second ball of the innings and the dangerous Matthew Breetzke, leaving the Proteas struggling at 18-5. Brydon Carse and Adil Rashid finished the job, with Rashid contributing 3-13 as South Africa fell to their second-lowest ODI total ever.
- India’s Win by 317 Runs – Thiruvananthapuram, January 15, 2023
Before England’s record-breaking performance, India had the title of the biggest ODI victory with their 317-run win over Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. This important victory showed India at their best, combining great batting with effective bowling.
India’s great batting was led by Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten with 166 off 110 balls, scoring his 46th ODI century in a fantastic return to form. This innings was Kohli’s third century in four matches and brought him within three centuries of Sachin Tendulkar‘s ODI record of 49. Shubman Gill supported Kohli’s brilliance with 116 off 97 balls, marking his second ODI century. Their strong partnership pushed India to a formidable 390/5, setting a target that was impossible to reach.
Sri Lanka’s chase fell apart under India’s pace attack. Mohammed Siraj led the attack with figures of 4-32, supported by Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, who each took two wickets. Sri Lanka only managed 73 runs in 22 overs, with only three batters reaching double figures. Siraj was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling that sealed India’s biggest ODI victory.
- Australia’s Win by 309 Runs – Delhi, October 25, 2023
Australia‘s 309-run defeat of the Netherlands at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium during the World Cup showed the big difference between experienced cricket teams and smaller nations. This complete victory broke many records and showed Australia’s strong performance when their batting was effective.
Glenn Maxwell played one of cricket’s most amazing innings, smashing the fastest World Cup century off just 40 balls, beating South Africa’s Aiden Markram‘s previous record of 43 balls. Maxwell’s 106 from 44 balls included nine fours and eight sixes, a display of pure hitting that amazed everyone. David Warner set the base with his second consecutive World Cup century, scoring 104 off 93 balls, while Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62) made sure Australia reached their World Cup total of 399/8.
The Netherlands never really challenged the huge target. Australia’s bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc‘s early breakthrough, destroyed the Dutch batting. Adam Zampa‘s spin was very effective in the middle overs, taking 4-8 as the Netherlands fell to 90 all out in just 21 overs. This victory was Australia’s biggest ODI win, the largest margin in World Cup history, and the third-largest in ODI cricket overall.
- Zimbabwe’s Win by 304 Runs – Harare, June 26, 2023
Zimbabwe‘s 304-run victory over the United States at Harare Sports Club during the World Cup Qualifier is one of the more surprising entries in cricket’s record books. This complete victory showed Zimbabwe’s ability to play well when their key players performed together.
Sean Williams played a career-defining innings that will be remembered as one of the best individual performances in ODI cricket. The captain blasted 174 off 101 balls, including 21 fours and five sixes in a display of calculated aggression. His partnership of 160 runs with wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie (78) for the second wicket broke Zimbabwe’s previous ODI record partnership and set the stage for their highest-ever ODI total. Williams received great support from Sikandar Raza (48 off 27 balls) and Ryan Burl, whose explosive 47 off just 16 deliveries featured a strike rate of 294.
The USA’s chase never gained momentum against Zimbabwe’s experienced bowling attack. Richard Ngarava and Sikandar Raza struck early and often, with the American batters struggling against accurate bowling and increasing pressure. Only captain Monank Patel offered some resistance with 22 before falling to Ngarava, as the USA managed only 104 runs in 25.1 overs. The 304-run victory margin placed Zimbabwe fourth in ODI history and showed their potential when their batting strength combined with disciplined bowling.
- India’s Victory by 302 Runs – Mumbai, November 2, 2023
India’s second entry in the top five largest ODI victories came during their World Cup campaign at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, where they secured a crushing 302-run victory over Sri Lanka. This dominant performance guaranteed India’s place in the World Cup semi-finals and demonstrated their overwhelming superiority on home soil.
India batted first and posted 357/8, built on big contributions from their top order. Gill scored 92 runs off 92 balls, while Kohli contributed 88 off 94 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer provided the strong finishing touch with 82 from 56 balls, including six towering sixes that showed India’s aggressive style. Even though Dilshan Madushanka took an amazing five wickets – becoming the first Sri Lankan to do so against India in World Cup history – India’s total was too high to reach.
Sri Lanka’s response was a disaster. Jasprit Bumrah struck with the first ball of the innings, followed by Siraj’s two strikes in the same over, reducing Sri Lanka to an unrecoverable 3-4. Shami finished the game with a devastating five-wicket haul, ending with figures of 5-18 to dismiss Sri Lanka for their lowest-ever ODI total of 55 in just 19.4 overs. This 302-run margin was the fifth-largest victory in ODI history and India’s biggest World Cup win.
