The initial session of the opening semi-final between India vs New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, held at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, has witnessed some remarkable achievements.
In today’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 action, India delivered a stellar batting performance, setting a formidable target in the first innings with an impressive score of 397/4 in 50 overs. The batsmen showcased incredible skill, contributing to one of the tournament’s top totals. Notably, achieving such a massive score in a knockout game adds an extra layer of significance to the accomplishment. Let’s delve into the archives and explore some of the highest totals ever posted in the history of ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final matches.
Here are the Top 5 highest team totals in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals:
1. India (397/4) against New Zealand :
Before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023’s inaugural semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, no team had breached the 350-run mark in the crucial stage. The encounter featured a toss won by India, opting to bat first, ultimately amassing a formidable 397/4 in 50 overs. Virat Kohli showcased his prowess, achieving his 50th ODI century with a score of 117, while Shreyas Iyer contributed a dynamic 105 off 70. Shubman Gill concluded with an unbeaten 80, complemented by Rohit Sharma’s brisk 47 off 29 balls. Impressively, India smashed 19 sixes during their innings.
2. Australia (328/7) against India :
In the thrilling second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the SCG, Australia set a formidable target of 329 runs against India. Aaron Finch provided a strong start with a score of 81, while Steve Smith showcased brilliance with a stunning century, amassing 105 runs off 93 balls. Batting second, India fell short, managing only 233 runs, leading to Australia’s victory by a convincing margin of 95 runs.
3. New Zealand (299/6) against South Africa :
In the riveting semi-final clash of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, and South Africa engaged in a cricketing spectacle. South Africa set the stage by posting a formidable 281/5 in 43 overs, batting first. However, the game was affected by rain, leading to a revised target of 298 runs in 43 overs for New Zealand, determined by the DLS method.
Brendon McCullum, the Kiwi skipper, made an explosive start, notching up a quick 59 runs off just 26 balls. The tension escalated as the match progressed. In the crucial moments, Grant Elliott played a heroic innings, scoring an unbeaten 84 off 73 balls. The climax was nothing short of dramatic, with New Zealand needing five runs off the last two balls. In a breathtaking moment, Elliott sealed the victory by smashing a six.
The match concluded with New Zealand reaching 299/6, emerging triumphant in a nail-biting thriller that will be etched in cricketing memory.
4. West Indies (293/6) against Pakistan :
In the inaugural two editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1975 and 1979, the West Indies emerged victorious. During the 1979 tournament, a crucial semi-final clash unfolded at The Oval between the West Indies and Pakistan. Opting to bat first, the West Indies posted a formidable total of 293/6 in 60 overs. Noteworthy performances came from Gordon Greenidge, who scored 73, and Desmond Haynes, contributing 65, at the top of the order. Other players chipped in, leading to a challenging target. Pakistan, however, fell short, managing a total of 250 runs before being bowled out, resulting in a 43-run victory for the West Indies.
5. Sri Lanka (289/5) against New Zealand :
In the 2007 edition, Sri Lanka found themselves in the finals after a triumphant victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals at Kingston. Opting to bat first, they posted a formidable total of 289/5 in the initial innings. Captain Mahela Jayawardene played a stellar innings, crafting an unbeaten 115 runs adorned with 10 boundaries and three sixes. New Zealand, in their pursuit, could only manage 208 runs before being bowled out. This led to Sri Lanka clinching the victory by a convincing margin of 81 runs.
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