What Is a Good Score in ODI? Understanding Average and Winning Scores

One Day Internationals (ODIs) have always been an exciting part of cricket, but the question remains: what is a good score in ODI? Over the years, the game has changed. In the 1990s, scores around 220-250 were enough to win matches. Today, teams often cross 300+ runs with ease. But does that make 300 a “good score” every time? The answer depends on factors like pitch conditions, team strengths, and even weather. In this post, we’ll explore what makes a score competitive in ODIs.

How to Assess a Good Score in ODIs?

Understanding what makes a “good score” in an ODI is important for analyzing matches and predicting outcomes. Here are some points on how to assess if the score is good.

1. The Pitch and Ground Conditions

Pitch type: A flat pitch (good for batting) generally favors batters. While a grassy pitch that offers swing or spin may make it harder to score runs.

• Good Score on a Flat Pitch: 300+ runs is often a good score.
• Good Score on a Challenging Pitch: Anything above 250 could be competitive.

Ground size: Smaller grounds with short boundaries make it easier to score runs, so a good score on these grounds maybe 300 or more. Bigger grounds, however, make it tougher to hit boundaries, so a score of 250-270 may be more than enough.

• Example: On smaller grounds like Sharjah or Eden Gardens, teams regularly post 300+ scores. On bigger grounds like the MCG, a score of 250-280 could still be competitive.

2. The Team Strengths

A good score also depends on the batting depth of the team. If the team has strong hitters lower in the batting order, they can accelerate the score in the final overs, pushing the total higher.

• Example: Teams like India and England have deep batting lineups, so 300+ totals are expected from them.

Similarly, a team with a strong bowling attack can defend a lower total even in a high-scoring environment.

• Example: Australia’s bowling attack often makes it difficult for teams to chase totals, even if the score is over 230.

3. Look at the Match Situation

• The total should also be assessed in the context of match conditions and weather. For instance, if there’s dew in the second innings, chasing a total becomes easier. In such cases, a score of 280-300 may not be enough, especially if the chasing team has a strong batting lineup.
  • Example: In day-night games, the team batting second can often chase totals of 300+ more easily because of dew, making the first innings score less important as the ball becomes wet and heavy and difficult to bowl. The batters take advantage of it.

4. Batting First or Chasing?

• If a team is batting first, a good score is one that puts pressure on the chasing team, especially if the bowling attack is strong. A score of 270+ is generally considered a safe total if the team has good bowlers.
  • Example: A team setting any score around 270+  with a strong bowling attack like India or South Africa will often put pressure on the opposition.
• If a team is chasing, a good score will depend on the required run rate. A target around 250-270 is often manageable(again depending on the bowling lineup of the opponent), but 300+ will require aggressive batting and may lead to a thrilling chase.

5. Match History and Context

• Always consider the context of the match, including the weather, the importance of the match (like a knockout game), and the teams involved. Some teams are known to perform well in high-pressure situations or on certain types of pitches.
  • Example: In high-pressure matches, a score of 270 may seem challenging, while in others, 300 may be easily chased down.

Real-Life Examples of Good Scores in ODIs

To truly understand what makes a “good score” in an ODI, let’s look at some real-life examples of high and low scores from recent matches. These examples show how different situations, pitches, and teams can make a good score look very different.

1. High-Scoring ODI Matches

England vs. Australia (2018):

• England scored 481/6 in a stunning display of aggressive batting. This is the highest team score in an ODI to date.
  • A score like 481 is nearly impossible to chase, especially when the team setting the target has a strong bowling attack. This match proves that in today’s ODI game, totals above 350 are achievable, especially on flat pitches.

South Africa vs. Australia (2016):

• South Africa scored 438/4 in a thrilling match, which is one of the highest totals ever scored in an ODI.
  • Even though Australia chased the target with 371, the total set by South Africa was so high that it put massive pressure on the chasing team, showcasing the strength of a score over 400.

2. Low-Scoring Thrillers

India vs. Pakistan (1983 World Cup):

• India scored just 183 runs, but they managed to defend it successfully, thanks to a fantastic bowling performance.
  • This is an example where the bowling attack was stronger than the batting side, proving that even a lower score can be defended with excellent bowling.

West Indies vs. South Africa (2015):

• West Indies scored just 189, and yet they managed to defend the low total because of tight bowling and good fielding.
  • In this case, the bowling team made a low score competitive by applying pressure and restricting the opposition’s batting.

3. Average or Competitive Scores

India vs. Sri Lanka (2019):

• India scored 300/5, which was considered a strong total, especially given the batting strength and bowling conditions.
  • Though Sri Lanka didn’t chase it successfully, this score was enough to put pressure on the opposition, proving that 300+ is becoming the standard for competitive matches.

New Zealand vs. Bangladesh (2019):

• New Zealand scored 240/8, a relatively low total in modern ODIs, but it was enough to defend successfully because of the strong New Zealand bowling attack.
  • This shows that a score around 250-270 can still be good if the team has a strong bowling attack and is playing under conditions that favor the bowlers.

5. Modern-Day ODI Trends

• In the last 10-15 years, teams have become more aggressive, and scores above 300 have become common.
  • Example: Teams like England and Australia often score 350+ in the modern game.
• The focus on big hitting and powerful shots has raised the standard for what’s considered a good score in ODIs.
• Batters’ enhanced skills, like innovative shot-making and strike rotation, have significantly raised ODI scoring standards.

Final Thoughts

A good score in ODI cricket varies, but generally, totals between 250 and 300 runs are competitive. Factors like pitch conditions, team strengths, and match situations play a huge role in determining what’s considered a good score. The key is not just the runs but how well a team adapts to the conditions and capitalizes on scoring opportunities. Ultimately, the team with the best strategy, regardless of the total, is likely to come out on top.