ODI World Cup: The World Cup event comes every four years. This is the tournament that every team prepares for, to win the title and to be called the “world champions.” But a strong team always has a strong middle-order that can take them out of the misery in any case of quick wickets at the top.
However, batters at No. 5 or 6 also give them the cameo at the end to post a good total. So all that makes a fifth-wicket partnership all the more important. And with the added pressure of the World Cup, this role becomes more crucial for any team. And there are a few instances when a fifth-wicket partnership has changed the whole complexion of the game.
ODI World Cup Highest fifth wicket Partnership List
| Batters | Partnership | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Miller and JP Duminy (South Africa) | 256* | Zimbabwe | Hamilton | 2015 |
| Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni (India) | 196* | Zimbabwe | Auckland | 2015 |
| Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson (Australia) | 160 | Sri Lanka | Sydney | 2015 |
| Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams (Zimbabwe) | 149 | Ireland | Hobart | 2015 |
| RG Twose and Chris Cairns (New Zealand) | 148 | Australia | Cardiff | 1999 |
| Andy Flower and AC Waller (Zimbabwe) | 145* | Sri Lanka | Plymouth | 1992 |
| Ajay Jadeja and RR Singh (India) | 141 | Australia | the Oval | 1999 |
| Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) | 141 | England | Adelaide | 2015 |
| Vivan Richards and CL King (West Indies) | 139 | England | Lord’s | 1979 |
| Scott Styris and Jacob Oram (New Zealand) | 138* | England | Gros Islet | 2007 |
So, in this article we will discuss the top ten highest fifth-wicket partnerships in the history of the ODI World Cup.
1.David Miller, JP Duminy (256* runs) against Zimbabwe at Hamilton in the 2015 World Cup
The highest partnership for the fifth wicket came in a match between South Africa and Zimbabwe in the 2016 event. This is also the fifth-highest partnership for any wicket in the World Cup. After losing the toss, the Proteas batted first. However, they had a really bad start and lost their first four wickets for just 83 runs. David Miller and JP Duminy joined the crease, and that day was then written in the cricketing book.
Both batters added an unbeaten record partnership of 256* runs for the fifth wicket and remained unbeaten. Both scored their respective centuries and helped South Africa reach 339/4 in their 50 overs. Miller was unbeaten on 138* and Duminy scored 115*. Chasing the target, Zimbabwe started well and were 191/2 at one point. But they lost the momentum and got all out for 277 runs. South Africa won that match by 62 runs and Miller got the “Man of the Match” award.
2. Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni (196* runs) against Zimbabwe at Auckland in the 2015 World Cup
The second biggest partnership came in the very same event and against the very same opposition. This was the match between India and Zimbabwe. After winning the toss, the Indian team decided to bowl first. Zimbabwe posted a decent score of 287 courtesy of a century from skipper Brendon Taylor (138). Chasing the target, India did tumble at the start and lost their first four wickets for just 92 runs.
Skipper MS Dhoni joined Suresh Raina at the crease and from that point, the whole scenario changed in India’s favor. Both batters didn’t let any other wicket fall and carried on till the win. They added an unbeaten 196* runs for the fifth wicket to seal the deal for India. Raina scored an unbeaten century of 110* and MSD was unbeaten on 85*.
3. Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson (160 runs) against Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup
Notably, the third biggest partnership also came from the same 2015 World Cup. This match between Australia and Sri Lanka was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After winning the toss, the Men in Yellow decided to bat first and got off to a good start. Steve Smith (72) and skipper Micheal Clarke (68) both scored a half-century. But once they got out, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson came to the crease and started hitting the ball to all parts. Both batters just went berserk and added some quick runs.
These two added 160 runs for the fifth wicket off just 82 balls. Maxwell scored 102 off 52 and Watson smashed 67 off 42 balls to help Australia reach a massive score of 376/9. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka also looked good with a century from Sangakkara (104) and a couple of half-centuries from other batters. But in the end, they got all out for 64 runs and lost the match.