Top 10 Biggest victory margins in ODIs

A margin of victory generally determines how comprehensive the victory was by a particular team. The smaller victory margin generally denotes a close, evenly matched contest while a large one reflects a blowout by one team. In modern day cricket, with the field restrictions and new rules, it is a common trend that skippers like to win the toss, bat first and score big enough to bat the opposition out of the match. Here’s a look at the biggest victory margins (by runs) registered in ODI cricket. 10. Sri Lanka v Bermuda (2007) – 243 runs: Sri Lankan Cricketers. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) Three fluent half-centuries from Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva set up Sri Lanka’s dominance before a scorching spell from Lasith Malinga made a mess of Bermuda’s maiden World Cup appearance at Port-of-Spain. A target of 322 proved too much for the newcomers in the 2007 edition of the marquee event in West Indies and they lost the match by 243 runs. 9. Sri Lanka v India (2000) – 245 runs: SANATH JAYASURIYA. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto/Getty Images) In the final of the Coca Cola Champions Trophy in Sharjah in the year 2000, Sri Lanka defeated their subcontinental neighbours India by 254 in one of the most intimidating performances in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. The architect was, Sanath Jayasuriya, who rescued an innings that was dipping into the doldrums, with a breathtaking 189 from just 161 balls. India in reply was bowled out for a paltry 54 courtesy a five-for produced by Chaminda Vass. 8. India v Hong Kong (2008) – 256 runs: Indian cricketers. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images) India amassed 374 for 4 in this 2008 Asia cup match in Karachi largely due to the centuries scored by MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Hong Kong was dismissed for 118 and failed to last even 40 overs in this one-sided affair. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla’s 4/23 flummoxed the newcomers to no end and they handed over India a 256-run win. 7. Australia v Namibia (2003) – 256 runs: Australian cricketers. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) Australia’s clinical opening bowler, Glenn McGrath, took 7 for 15 to demolish the Namibian batting, bowling them out for 45 in 14 overs and ensuring a win by 256 runs on a good batting pitch at the North in Potchefstroom, South Africa in the 2003 edition of the World Cup. Matthew Hayden scored 88 as the Aussies posted 301/6 against the WC debutants. 6. South Africa v West Indies (2015) – 257 runs: South Africa’s team wait for the third umpire decision. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) The 2015 edition of the marquee event witnessed yet another dull game. Much was expected from this clash however it turned out to be a huge disappointment. AB de Villiers outscored the West Indies in this match at the historic SCG. De Villiers’ 162* off 66, WI 151 all out made headlines almost everywhere. Imran Tahir’s 5/45 was another standout performance for the Proteas. 5. India v Bermuda (2007) – 257 runs: India cricketers. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) Bermuda’s miserable run in the World Cup in the Caribbean continued as India posted 413/5 at Port-of-Spain. Virender Sehwag top scored with 114 off 87 while Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar took 3 wickets each as the inexperienced team was bundled out for 156. They lost the match by a huge 257 runs and Bermuda has never qualified for a World Cup after the 2007 edition. 4. South Africa v Sri Lanka (2012) – 258 runs: South African Team.(Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images) Sri Lanka subsided to 43 all-out, their lowest total in ODIs, against the home team South Africa in Paarl in 2012. A century from Hashim Amla and fifties for Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers had earlier seen the Proteas score 301/8 which proved too much for the visitors. Morne Morkel’s 4/10 and Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s 3/19 blew away the islanders giving AB de Villiers a perfect start to captaincy as they won the match by 258 runs. 3. South Africa v Zimbabwe (2010) – 272 runs: The South African cricket squad celebrates the dismissal of Zimbabwean batsman. (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images) The home team scored a mammoth 399/8 at Benoni in 2010 against Zimbabwe with the help of hundreds by AB de Villiers and JP Duminy. The visitors couldn’t offer any challenge and were bowled out for 127 in 29 overs. Rusty Theron’s 3/18 was the best spell as the home side completed a 3-0 series win. 2. Australia v Afghanistan (2015) – 275 runs: Australia. (© Getty Images) Afghanistan was left to run down the highest total in World Cup history – 417. They were bowled out for 142 and lost by 275 runs – the largest margin of defeat in World Cups. Mitchell Johnson’s bouncers were reminders to the batsmen that they were playing on one of the fastest pitches in the world. He finished with figures of 4/22. This was after a marvelous 178 from David Warner had deflated the World Cup debutants. 1. New Zealand v Ireland (2008) – 290 runs: New Zealand cricketers. (Photo by Farjana KHAN GODHULY/AFP/Getty Images) A rampant New Zealand team totally outclassed Ireland by a record ODI margin of 290 runs in 2008 at Aberdeen. The star performers were Brendon McCullum with 166 and James Marshall on 161, both hitting their maiden ODI hundreds. The home team in reply could manage only 112 as Tim Southee’s 3/23 and Michael Mason’s 3/35 bowled the Kiwis to a commanding win. All stats updated till 31st August 2016.