USA defend lowest ODI total, break India's 40-year-old record

United States of America (USA) have broken the longstanding record of India, beating Oman by 57 runs after scoring just 122 in their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Al Amerat. In an ODI which has not been reduced to lesser number of overs, the previous lowest total successfully defended in a full ODI was India's 125 against Pakistan in the Rothmans Four-Nations Cup in 1985. They had won the game by 38 runs in Sharjah.

With the win over Oman, USA have broken India’s long-held record after almost 40 years. The game also broke another record as all nine bowlers used in the game were spinners. This was also the first completed men's ODI ever after 4671 matches, where not a single ball was bowled by a fast bowler.

The game also levelled a past record set in a 2011 ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan where spinners claimed 19 wickets, the most in an ODI.

Meanwhile, both the teams in today's game managed to score just 187 runs in 61 overs, which makes this the second-lowest aggregate in an ODI with both teams dismissed. India and Bangladesh's ODI in 2014 stands first in the list with an aggregate of 163 runs in a 41-over game.

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Al Amerat turns spin haven as batters succumb

The credit for the records set in the game could be given to Al Amerat, the venue in this tournament. Teams, who have batted first, have been dismissed for a score of less than 170 in all eight games involving hosts Oman. Other four games had totals exceeding 240 runs. The previous game which was played at this venue, a 96-run chase against Namibia, saw Oman lose eight wickets. The only fast bowler to bowl a complete over in this match was JJ Smit. At Al Amerat, spinners have claimed 17 or more wickets in three out of four ODIs.