Top 10 Biggest victory margins by balls remaining in ODIs

ODI cricket has a history of producing monumental defeats. Many teams have suffered humiliating defeats in one of the most popular versions of the game. A margin of victory determines how significant the victory was by a particular team. A small margin of victory generally denotes a close, evenly matched game while a larger margin denotes the hammering received by a team. Here’s a look at the biggest victory margins by balls remaining in ODIs. 10. Australia v West Indies, 2013 – 244 balls: Australia. (© Getty Images) The Aussies hammered the West Indies in the first of the 5-match series in 2013 in Perth by 9 wickets with 244 balls remaining. The visitors were blown away for 70 in 23.5 overs and the home side took just 9.2 overs to seal the deal. The Aussies lost one wicket in the process of doing so. The home side’s innings lasted just 42 minutes at the famous WACA cricket ground. 9. Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 2004 – 244 balls: Sri Lanka’s bowler Chaminda Vass (L) celebrates. (Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images) In the 3rd ODI of the 5-match series in Harare in 2004 Zimbabwe was humiliated by being dismissed for meager 35 runs by the visiting islanders. In reply, Sri Lanka won the match comprehensively by 9 wickets with 244 balls remaining. The Lankan innings lasted for 9.2 overs and 39 minutes at the Harare Sports Club ground. The visitors thereby took a 3-0 lead in the series. 8. New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2015 – 250 balls: Doug Bracewell (R of New Zealand appeals for a LBW call on Angelo Mathews (L) captain of Sri Lanka during the 2nd ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Christchurch at Hagley Park on December 28, 2015. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) In the recently concluded series in New Zealand, the home side bowled out Sri Lanka for 117 from 27.4 overs at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch in the 2nd ODI. In reply, a belligerent 40-ball 93 not out by opener Martin Guptill ensured a quick finish. It took just 8.2 overs and 40 minutes for the Kiwis to register a win by 10 wickets with 250 balls remaining. 7. New Zealand v Kenya, 2011 – 252 balls: New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum (R) and Martin Guptill. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) In a 2011 ICC World Cup match in Chennai, Kenya was bowled out for a paltry 69 in 23.5 overs. The Kiwis took 8 overs and 37 minutes to reach the target and ensure a comfortable win by 10 wickets with 252 balls remaining. Kenya had won the toss and opted to bat first; a decision that went horribly wrong for the African nation. 6. Australia v USA, 2004 – 253 balls: Australia ‘s Michael Kasprowicz. (Photo by MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP/Getty Images) The United States of America team, which participated in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, had a forgettable outing against a formidable Australian side. Electing to field first the Aussies had a short day in the office after bundling out the USA for 65 in 24 overs. The target was achieved in 7.5 overs in just 33 minutes ensuring a 9-wicket win with 253 balls remaining. 5. India v Sri Lanka, 2023 - 263 balls: Indian Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images) In the Asia Cup 2023 final match, India beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets with 263 balls remaining. Batting first, the Lions were bowled out for 50, and in reply, the Men in Blue chased down the target in 6.1 overs 4. New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2007 – 264 balls: New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. (Photo by Tim HALES/AFP/Getty Images) The Kiwis took the series 3-0 by winning the final ODI against Bangladesh in Queenstown in 2007. The visitors were sent into bat by the home team and were dismissed for 93 in 37.5 overs. In reply, New Zealand took just 6 overs to complete the match courtesy an unbeaten 80 off 31 balls by Brendon McCullum. The 10-wicket win was completed with 264 to spare. 3. Sri Lanka v Canada, 2003 – 272 balls: Muttiah Muralitharan & Chaminda Vaas. (© AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images) The 2003 World Cup in the Rainbow Nation witnessed a one-sided contest between Sri Lanka and Canada at Paarl. The Northern Americans were bowled out for just 36 runs in 18.4 overs by the eventual semi-finalists of the competition. The Lankans took only 4.4 overs and 18 minutes to finish the match and improve their net run rate. 2. Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 2001 – 274 balls: Sri Lankan cricketer Chaminda Vaas. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images) Zimbabwe suffered yet another drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka, this time in Colombo in 2001. The visitors were spanked for 38 in 15.4 overs. The innings features eight wickets and a hat-trick by Chaminda Vaas who destroyed the opposition with swing and accuracy. Sri Lanka completed the formality with 9 wickets in hand and 274 balls remaining. 1. England v Canada, 1979 – 277 balls: “England squad for the 1979 World Cup Randall, Larkins, Botham, Edmonds, Old, Hendricks, Gower, Miller, Gooch, Gatting (front) Taylor, Willis, Alec Bedser, Brearley, Boycott (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar Collection via Getty Images)” The eventual runners-up of the 1979 World Cup and hosts England faced Canada in Manchester in what turned out to be an easy win for the English side. Batting first the Canadian team was bowled out for 45 in 40.3 overs. The home side achieved the desired result with 8 wickets and 277 balls remaining. This was the second-ever edition of the marquee event in ODI cricket. All stats updated till 17th September 2023. Also read: (Top 10 Batsmen with most 125 plus scores in ODIs)