In the Records of Most Runs in ODI cricket, several scintillating exhibitions of batting have taken place, with teams repeatedly raising the bar as to what is achievable in a 50-over match. The one day international highest score has gone on improving with time, entertaining fans and showing the growth of this form of limited-over cricket. We discuss the top 10 One day international highest scores while looking into teams and players who have been able to write their names into the annals of cricket history with stellar batting performances. Highest Scores in ODI Cricket History Rank Team Score Opposition Venue Year 1 England 498/4 Netherlands Amstelveen 2022 2 England 481/6 Australia Nottingham 2018 3 England 444/3 Pakistan Nottingham 2016 4 Sri Lanka 443/9 Netherlands Amstelveen 2006 5 South Africa 439/2 West Indies Johannesburg 2015 6 South Africa 438/9 Australia Johannesburg 2006 7 South Africa 438/4 India Mumbai 2015 8 Australia 434/4 South Africa Johannesburg 2006 9 South Africa 428/5 Sri Lanka Delhi 2023 10 South Africa 418/5 Zimbabwe Potchefstroom 2006 10 India 418/5 West Indies Indore 2011 England-498/4 vs Netherlands, 2022 Image Source: TOI The record for the highest ODI score presently is held by England, which piled 498/4 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen in 2022. That had been a masterclass in aggressive batting, with Jos Buttler anchoring it with an explosive 162 not out off 70 balls. Ever since 2015, England approached white-ball cricket differently, and the dimensions of the game changed. These became very special innings indeed, defying the fearsome brand of play that this team does. Also Read | Top 5 Best Cricket Bats for Power Hitting | Swing for the Fences England - 481/6 vs Australia, 2018 Image Source: ESPN The previous best, before England's record in 2022, was them-481/6 against Australia in Nottingham. This innings saw two centuries by Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow, with Eoin Morgan giving the fastest fifty as an England batsman in ODIs. The most one day runs scored in a single innings continued to climb and set a new benchmark for other teams to aspire to. England - 444/3 vs Pakistan, 2016 Image Source: ESPN Once again, it is England on the list of ODI highest scores with their 444/3 against Pakistan too at Nottingham. Alex Hales was the star of the show for England, scoring a then-record 171 for England in ODIs. This innings marked the beginning of England's ascendancy in ODI cricket to show the world their new-found aggressive approach. Sri Lanka - 443/9 vs Netherlands, 2006 Image Source: Raddit After the recent onslaught by the English, the Sri Lankans held the record for the highest score in ODIs for over a decade. Their 443/9 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen had an explosive 157 from Sanath Jayasuriya and a 117 from Tillakaratne Dilshan anchoring the innings. It showed the whole world the batting heft of Sri Lanka, and set the bar high for ODI totals. South Africa - 439/2 vs West Indies, 2015 Image Source: SportsAdda The entry of South Africa into the top five comes with their 439/2 against the West Indies in Johannesburg. This inning saw both Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw get centuries while AB de Villiers got the finishing touches with a quick 149 off just 44 balls. All along, it has been one of the hallmarks of the play for the Proteas to score most runs in ODI matches. Also Read | Surprising Cricket Facts You Didn’t Know! Test Your Knowledge South Africa - 438/9 vs Australia, 2006 Image Source: India Today It is often regarded as the greatest ODI game of all time. Chasing Australia's huge total of 434/4, South Africa won in a nail-biting finish with one ball to spare. For South Africa, it was Herschelle Gibbs who was the hero as he made 175 off 111 balls. This match simply changed the rules about what was possible in ODI cricket and probably continues to be one of the most talked-about matches in cricketing history. South Africa-438/4 vs India, 2015 Image Source: NDTV Further evidence has come in the form of South Africa posting totals such as 438/4 against India in Mumbai. Centuries were made by Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and AB de Villiers in this innings, showcasing the depth in batting that South Africa have. This only underlined how South Africa go about keeping on posting most ODI runs in the most trying conditions. Australia - 434/4 vs South Africa, 2006 Image Source: SportsAdda The Australia record total of 434/4 against South Africa would have been the record total had it not been for the miracle chase of South Africa in the same match. The fulcrum of this innings was Ricky Ponting's 164 off 105 balls and at that time an unassailable total. The above match showcased Australia's batting depth during their dominance in world cricket. South Africa - 418/5 vs Zimbabwe, 2006 Image Source: TOI South Africa's Loots Bosman and Mark Boucher hit tons as part of a mammoth 418/5 total against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom. South Africa thrashed the oppostion by their brilliant batting display on that day. India - 418/5 vs West Indies, 2011 Image Source: ESPN Virender Sehwag's explosive 219 was the cornerstone of India's 418/5 against the West Indies in Indore. These innings represent the global nature of high scoring in ODI cricket, where teams across different continents are capable of posting massive totals Conclusion The growing graph of ODI's highest scores is indicative of the following reasons in today's game: better levels of fitness, stronger bats, smaller boundaries, and above all, far more aggressive minds than ever, have cumulatively caused the totals to inflate. Teams are far more prepared to take risks throughout the innings, knowing full well that no total is safe in today's game. What has been very striking is the monopoly of England recently in this list. The changed approach since the 2015 World Cup started a revolution in the way ODI cricket has been played, and they have been setting a new benchmark on what is achievable in a 50-over game by consistently pushing for big totals without fear. One thing, though, is dead certain: the race for the ODI most runs will continue to remain a point of fascination with years to come amongst cricket circles around the world.