Stats: Highest successful run-chases in T20 Internationals

After New Zealand posted 243/6 on the board, everyone assumed the hosts to confirm their berth in the final of the Trans-Tasman T20I Tri-series. However, Australia did something extraordinary to stay unbeaten in the group stage of the tournament. Despite the short boundaries at the Auckland’s Eden Park, the venue never witnessed a big successful run-chase. New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe in 2012 while chasing 160 which was the previous successful chase at this venue.

The Aussies came out all guns blazing in the big chase as D’Arcy Short and David Warner put on 121 runs in 8.3 overs for the first wicket. Their skipper Warner led from the front with a 20-ball fifty. He got out on a slower delivery from Ish Sodhi after making 59 off 24 balls but done enough damage to make the chase easy for the next batsmen. Despite not middling the ball, D’Arcy anchored the innings with a 44-ball 76 and registered his maiden fifty in International cricket.

The Australian middle order batsmen Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch all kept going from the first ball itself as the visiting side chased down the mountain in with seven balls to spare. Thus, the Aussies recorded the successful run-chase not only in the T20I history but also in all Twenty20 matches. Windies’ successful chase of 232 in the Johannesburg T20I against South Africa in 2015 was the previous highest chase in the T20Is and also in all T20 matches.

Australia ended up with 245/5 in the 18.5 overs which is also the highest score while batting 2nd in T20Is. During the 2016 T20I game in Lauderhill, India made 244/4 in their 20 overs during the 246-run chase against the Windies. The Aussies’ total of 245 is also the 2nd highest in a run chase in the Twenty20 history behind Central Districts’s 248/4. The New Zealand domestic team posted the big score in reply to Otago’s 249/3 during the 2016/17 Super Smash T20 game.

As many as 32 sixes were hit during this record-setting game which are the joint most in a T20I match. This game equalled the record set by the Windies-India T20I in 2016 played at Lauderhill. Overall, the 32 sixes in this game are the joint 3rd most hit in a Twenty20 game.

Highest successful run-chases in T20I cricket:

Highest successful run-chases in Twenty20 cricket:

(Stats as on February 16, 2018)