The highest successful run chase in ODI cricket is South Africa’s 438/9 against Australia , chasing a target of 435 in Johannesburg on 12 March 2006.

Quick Scoop: Record Chase in ODIs

In that iconic match at the Wanderers, Australia batted first and smashed 434/4, becoming the first team to post 400+ in an ODI, with Ricky Ponting scoring a blistering 164. Many people thought the game was effectively over at the halfway stage because no team had ever chased anything close to that before.

South Africa, however, replied with one of the most famous batting efforts in cricket history, led by Herschelle Gibbs’ 175 and captain Graeme Smith’s rapid 90, setting up the chase. Mark Boucher held his nerve at the end to finish the job in the final over, taking South Africa to 438/9 and sealing what is still remembered as the greatest ODI run chase.

Key Facts (for “what is the highest run chase in odi”)

  • Highest successful run chase in ODI: 438/9 (South Africa).
  • Target: 435 , set by Australia (434/4).
  • Venue: Johannesburg (Wanderers Stadium), South Africa.
  • Year: 2006.
  • Match situation: Series decider (5th ODI), turning into a modern classic.

Mini Timeline Of Big ODI Chases

Even in more recent years, no side has overhauled a bigger target than 435 in ODIs, so that South Africa–Australia game still sits at number one on updated lists. Other huge chases since then, like Netherlands’ 374/6 while chasing 370 against Scotland in 2025, are high on the charts but still below the 438/9 mark. Modern ODI batting has made 350-plus chases more frequent, but 435 remains the gold standard that everyone measures against.

Small Story Element

Cricket fans often talk about this match as the day when “no target felt safe anymore.” Before that, 300 was considered a winning score; after it, even 400 started to look chaseable, changing how teams thought about one-day cricket strategy and risk-taking with the bat.

TL;DR:
What is the highest run chase in ODI?
South Africa’s 438/9 vs Australia (target 435) at Johannesburg in 2006 is the highest successful run chase in ODI history.

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