In Cricket a team score depends on the base created by the top order, which can be worked upon by middle and lower order. Some times the role changes, with top order assuming all the roles or any other order grabbing it with both hands. Today, let’s see which all opening pairs feature in top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket.
10. 256* (Jason Roy, Alex Hales)
England Openers Jason Roy & Alex Hales are both attacking batsmen. The two batsmen, on June 24, 2016, went on for absolute carnage of Sri Lankan bowlers as they chased down a target of 255 in less than 35 overs. Batting first, Sri Lanka had scored 254/7 from their quota of 50 overs. Dinesh Chandimal & Upul Tharanga had both scored fifty.
While Roy scored a 95-ball 112 with 7 fours & 4 sixes, Hales scored a 110-ball 133 with 10 fours & 6 sixes. The partnership is 10th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any English Pair.
9. 258 (Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar)
Indian Opening Pair of Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar is the pair with the most ODI runs as partners. The two batsmen, on October 24, 2001, went on to update their own record of highest opening partnership by any cricketing pair. They, however, could add just 6 runs to their existing record in a match they were playing against Kenya.
India had won the toss and were batting first. While Sourav scored a 124-ball 111 with 7 fours & 3 sixes, Sachin scored a 132-ball 146 with 17 fours. The partnership is 9th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the Highest ODI partnership for the first wicket by any Indian Pair. India scored 351/3 from their overs. Kenya, in reply, could only score 165/5 from their 50 overs. This match is also recalled for Sehwag‘s 22-ball fifty.
8. 258* (David Warner, Aaron Finch)
Australian Openers David Warner & Aaron Finch are both known for smacking the balls over the boundary. The two batsmen, on January 14, 2020, went on rampage while chasing a modest 256 of India. India, batting first, were bowled out for 255 with only Shikhar Dhawan scoring a fifty.
While Warner scored a 112-ball 128 with 17 fours & 3 sixes, Finch scored a 114-ball 110 with 13 fours & 2 sixes. The two cricketers chased down the target with more than 12 overs to spare. The partnership is 8th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the second highest opening partnership by any Australian Pair.
7. 274 (James Marshall, Brendon McCullum)
New Zealand pair of James Marshall & Brendon McCullum had a short existing internationally as Marshall played only 10 ODIs. The two batsmen, on July 1, 2008, upped the ante against minnows Ireland. Ireland had won the toss and had put New Zealand into bat first.
While Marshall scored a 141-ball 161 with 11 fours & 4 sixes, McCullum scored a 135-ball 166 with 12 fours & 10 sixes. The partnership is 7th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any Kiwi Pair. It was an absolute rampage as the Kiwi team scored 402/2 from their 50 overs. Ireland, in reply, were bowled out for 112. This match is also listed on the highest margin ODI win by any country.
6. 282 (Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan)
Sri Lankan pair of Upul Tharanga & Tillakaratne Dilshan have created some milestone moments in cricket. The two batsmen, on March 10, 2011, went all guns blazing against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe had won the toss and had put them into bat.
While Tharanga scored a 141-ball 133 with 17 fours, Dilshan scored a 131-ball 144 with 11 fours & a six. The partnership is 6th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the second highest opening partnership by any Sri Lankan Pair. Sri Lanka scored 327/6 from their overs. Zimbabwe, while on chase, were bowled out for 188. Dilshan also took 4-for and was declared man of the match.
5. 282* (Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla)
South African pair of Quinton de Kock & Hashim Amla have scored over 4000 runs as partners. The two batsmen, on October 15, 2017, chose to blast the Bangladesh bowlers in a successful chase of 279. Bangladesh had won the toss to decide first use of pitch. They scored 278/7 from their overs with Mushfiqur Rahim topscoring with 116-ball 110.
While de Kock scored a 145-ball 168 with 21 fours & 2 sixes, Amla scored a 112-ball 110 with 8 fours. The partnership is 5th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any South African Pair.
4. 284 (David Warner, Travis Head)
Australian pair of David Warner & Travis Head didn’t play much together. The two batsmen, however, went for carnage hitting the Pakistan bowling all over the park on January 26 2017. Australia had won the toss to make the first use of pitch.
While Warner scored a 128-ball 179 with 19 fours & 5 sixes, Head scored a 128-ball 137 with 9 fours & 3 sixes. The partnership is 4th on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any Australian Pair. Australia made 369/7 from their overs. Pakistan, on their chase, were bowled out for 312. Mitchell Starc took 4.
3. 286 (Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya)
Sri Lankan Opening pair of Upul Tharanga & Sanath Jayasuriya have scored over 2000 ODI runs as partners. The two batsmen, on July 1, 2006, entered the batting crease in a murderous mood against England. England had won the toss and made he first use of the Leeds pitch. They scored 321/7 from their overs. Trescothick scored a 118 ball 121.
While Tharanga scored a 102-ball 109 with 14 fours & a six, Jayasuriya scored a 99-ball 152 with 20 fours & 4 sixes. The partnership is 3rd on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any Sri Lankan Pair. They chased down the target with more than 12 overs to spare.
2. 304 (Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman)
Pakistan opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq & Fakhar Zaman haven’t played much together. But the two batsmen, on July 20, 2018, slaughtered the weak Zimbabwe bowling. Pakistan had won the toss to have a first go at the ball.
While Haq scored a 122-ball 113 with 8 fours, Zaman scored a 156-ball 210 with 24 fours & 5 sixes. The partnership is 2nd on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any Pakistan Pair. Pakistan scored 399/1 from their overs. Zimbabwe, in reply, were bowled out for 155. Shadab Khan took 4.
1. 365 (John Campbell, Shai Hope)
West Indies pair of John Campbell & Shai Hope haven’t played much as a pair. The two batsmen, however, went on massacre mode against minnows Ireland on May 5, 2019. Ireland had won toss and had put Windies into bat first.
While Campbell scored a 137 ball 179 with 15 fours & 6 sixes, Hope scored a 152-ball 170 with 22 fours & 2 sixes. The partnership is atop on top 10 of the highest ODI partnership for the first wicket. The partnership also happen to be the highest opening partnership by any West Indies Pair. Caribbean team scored 381/3 from their overs. Batting second, Ireland were bowled out for 185.