Top Teams with the Most 400+ Totals in ODI Cricket History

Cricket, long known as the "gentleman’s game," has come a long way—especially in the One Day International (ODI) format. Not too long ago, scoring anything above 250 was considered a strong total. But as the game has evolved, so has the pace, power, and ambition of teams. Today, crossing the 300-run mark has become almost routine for top sides.

Even more impressive, though, are those rare and remarkable occasions when teams have powered past 400 runs in a single innings—a feat once thought nearly impossible. These mammoth totals reflect not just batting brilliance, but also the changing nature of the modern game, where aggression, innovation, and fearless cricket take center stage.

In this article, let’s take a closer look at the top teams that have consistently posted 400+ scores in ODIs.

7. Zimbabwe – 1

Although Zimbabwe isn’t usually seen among the top ODI teams, they gave a glimpse of their true potential by scoring over 400 runs in an innings for the first time. This impressive feat came during the recent ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, held at home against the USA.

6. New Zealand – 2

New Zealand, often seen as underdogs, have proven their batting strength on the world stage by scoring 400 or more runs in a One Day International (ODI) innings twice. While they may not have as many entries in the 400+ club as some of the traditional powerhouses, the Black Caps have consistently shown that they’re one of the strongest teams in world cricket. They first crossed the 400-run mark against Ireland in July 2008. Their second 400+ total came during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, when they posted an impressive 401/6 against Pakistan.

5. Sri Lanka – 2

Sri Lanka, known for their flair and unorthodox style of cricket, have crossed the 400-run mark in ODIs on two occasions. With explosive batters and fearless stroke-play, they've often caught opponents off guard. Under the leadership of charismatic captains like Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka built a reputation for their aggressive approach with the bat. Their first 400+ total came against the Netherlands in 2006. The second was a high-scoring thriller against India at the Race Course Ground in Rajkot — a match remembered for its fireworks, even though Sri Lanka ended up on the losing side.

4. Australia – 3

Australia, long regarded as a cricketing powerhouse, have been a model of consistency in One Day Internationals (ODIs). While they may not hit 400 runs as often as some other teams, they’ve still managed to cross that milestone three times — each instance highlighting the depth and firepower in their batting lineup. In fact, Australia were the first-ever team to break the 400-run barrier in ODIs.

That historic moment came in 2006 during a legendary match in Johannesburg against South Africa — a game still remembered as one of the greatest ODIs of all time. Despite piling on a massive 434, Australia ended up on the losing side in a dramatic finish.

Their second 400+ total came nearly a decade later, during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Facing Afghanistan in Perth, the Aussies delivered a dominant performance, cruising to a one-sided victory.

The most recent instance was in 2025, when Australia once again broke the 400-run mark — this time against South Africa at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, showcasing their continued dominance and adaptability in the format.

3. England – 7

England’s approach to ODI cricket has seen a dramatic shift since their disappointing exit from the 2015 World Cup. What followed was a complete overhaul of their playing style—transforming them into one of the most thrilling and aggressive sides in the format. Led first by Eoin Morgan and now Jos Buttler, England adopted a fearless brand of cricket that has redefined how ODI batting is approached.

With explosive players like Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, and others, England’s batting lineup has become known for its relentless power-hitting and ability to pile on massive scores. This aggressive mindset has led them to post 400+ totals on six different occasions—an extraordinary feat.

Teams like New Zealand, West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and South Africa have all felt the full force of England’s batting dominance. In fact, England currently hold the record for the highest ever total in ODI history: a staggering 498 for 4 against the Netherlands in June 2022.

2. India – 7

India, a cricket-crazy nation, has built a reputation for having one of the most powerful batting line-ups in ODI history. Known for their explosive performances, Team India has crossed the 400-run mark in an innings on seven occasions—a feat that places them among the most feared teams in world cricket. Legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Rohit Sharma have been key to India's dominance with the bat.

Over the years, several teams have found themselves on the receiving end of India’s batting fury. The unfortunate victims include Bermuda, West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka (twice), Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.

1. South Africa – 8

South Africa has built a fearsome reputation in ODI cricket, especially when it comes to piling on the runs. No team has scored 400 or more in an innings as many times as the Proteas — they’ve done it an incredible eight times, more than any other side in history.

Powered by some of the most explosive and consistent batsmen the game has seen — including AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, and Heinrich Klaasen — South Africa’s ability to cross the 400-run mark speaks volumes about their firepower and depth in the batting department.

They’ve scored 400+ twice each against Australia and the West Indies, and once each against Zimbabwe, Ireland, India, and Sri Lanka. What’s even more impressive is that three of these mammoth totals came on the biggest stage of all — the ODI World Cup — showing they can deliver under pressure.

Whether it's pure power hitting or elegant stroke play, South Africa's dominance in the 400+ club is a true reflection of their batting brilliance in the modern era.

Cover Credits - ESPNcricinfo