A team batting first always tries to score as many runs as possible in any format to put pressure on the second team. That is why every team selects batters who can anchor and hit the ball when the situation calls for it. And we have seen many teams that are even reaching the 400-run mark in a ODI game. The T20 format has also helped the batter to change gears at any moment of the match.
One such team that has been one of the most consistent performers in the ODIs is New Zealand. The Black Caps are the only team after India and Australia to feature in the finals of all three ICC events; twice in the ODI World Cup (2015 and 2019), in the 2021 T20 World Cup and in the 2021 WTC final. That is why they are among the top teams in the world right now.
List of Highest Team Score in ODI By New Zealand
| Score | Overs | Inns | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402/2 | 50.0 | 1 | Ireland | Aberdeen | 1 Jul 2008 |
| 398/5 | 50.0 | 1 | England | The Oval | 12 Jun 2015 |
| 397/5 | 44.0 | 1 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 24 Aug 2005 |
| 393/6 | 50.0 | 1 | West Indies | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| 383/9 | 50 | 2 | Australia | Dharmasala | 28 Oct 2023 |
| 373/8 | 50.0 | 1 | Zimbabwe | Napier | 9 Feb 2012 |
| 372/6 | 50.0 | 1 | Zimbabwe | Whangarei | 6 Feb 2012 |
| 371/7 | 50.0 | 1 | Sri Lanka | Mount Maunganui | 3 Jan 2019 |
| 369/5 | 50.0 | 1 | Pakistan | Napier | 3 Feb 2015 |
| 364/4 | 50.0 | 1 | Sri Lanka | Nelson | 8 Jan 2019 |
| 363/5 | 50.0 | 1 | Canada | Gros Islet | 22 Mar 2007 |
And in this article, we will discuss the highest ODI scores by New Zealand.
3. New Zealand (397/5) against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo
The third highest total for New Zealand came against Zimbabwe on August 24, 2005, at Bulawayo. It was the first match of the tri series. It was Zimbabwe that won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Black Caps had an excellent start and both openers added 204 runs for the first wicket to set the platform for a big total. Then, for the second wicket, there was another partnership of 121 runs. With two big partnerships, New Zealand scored a big total of 397/5 in their 50 overs.
Opener Lou Vincent scored a big century and made 175 runs off 120 balls. Stephen Fleming made 93 runs while Brendon McCullum hit a quick fifty and scored 51* off 22 balls. In reply, Zimbabwe didn’t have the start they wanted and other batters also didn’t do well. As a result, they got all out for just 205 runs and lost the match by 192 runs.
2. New Zealand (398/5) against England at The Oval
The second highest total for New Zealand came against England at the Oval. It was the second match of the five-match series. The Black Caps won the toss and chose to bat. They had a really good start with two fifty-plus partnerships for the first and second wicket. But the game-changing stand came for the third wicket between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor for the third wicket. Both batters added 121 runs for the third wicket.
Williamson scored 93 while Taylor made his century and scored 119* runs. As a result, New Zealand posted a huge total of 398/5 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, England also batted well and came close. England made 365/9 and lost the match by 13 runs with the D/L method. For his century, Taylor was named the “Man of the Match.”
1. New Zealand (402/2) against Ireland (New Zealand’s highest in ODI)
The highest total for New Zealand came in a match against Ireland at Aberdeen. This was the first time New Zealand crossed the 400-run mark. It was the very first match of the tri-series. Ireland won the toss and decided to bowl first, but that decision totally went wrong. Because both Kiwi openers scored two big centuries. James Marshall made 166 off 141 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes, while Brendon McCullum made 166 off 135 balls, with 12 fours and 10 sixes.
Both batters added 274 runs for the first wicket. Ross Taylor also scored 59* off 24 balls to help New Zealand reach 402/2 in their 50 overs. The Black Caps registered their first and only 400+ score in an ODI. In reply, Ireland had a horrible performance. They got all out for just 112 runs in 28.4 overs and lost the match by a massive margin of 290 runs.