When New Zealand Women walked out to bat against Ireland in Dublin on June 8, 2018, nobody expected what was about to unfold.
By the time the innings ended, the scoreboard read 491/4—a number so massive it redefined what seemed possible in women’s ODI cricket.
That innings didn’t just break records; it showcased how far the women’s game had evolved in terms of power-hitting and batting depth.
Crossing 400 in an ODI innings is rare.
It demands not just individual brilliance but sustained aggression from multiple batters, favourable conditions, and often, a significant gap in quality between the teams.
As of now, only three nations—New Zealand, Australia, and India—have managed to post 400+ totals in women’s ODIs, with New Zealand doing it four times.
Let’s break down the innings that pushed the boundaries of what’s achievable in 50-over cricket.
Highest ODI Scores in Women’s Cricket
Teams That Have Crossed 400 in Women’s ODIs
New Zealand leads the charge with four 400+ scores, all coming against Ireland or Pakistan. Their dominance in this department is unmatched. Australia has done it twice, including Belinda Clark’s iconic 1997 World Cup performance against Denmark. India recently joined the club in January 2025 with a stunning 435/5 against Ireland in Rajkot.
What stands out is the pattern—most of these totals came against lower-ranked sides. It reflects both the growing strength of top teams and the gap that still exists in women’s international cricket.
| Rank | Team | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand Women | 491/4 | Ireland Women | Dublin | 2018 |
| 2 | New Zealand Women | 455/5 | Pakistan Women | Christchurch | 1997 |
| 3 | New Zealand Women | 440/3 | Ireland Women | Dublin | 2018 |
| 4 | India Women | 435/5 | Ireland Women | Rajkot | 2025 |
| 5 | New Zealand Women | 418 | Ireland Women | Dublin | 2018 |
| 6 | Australia Women | 412/3 | Denmark Women | Mumbai | 1997 |
| 7 | Australia Women | 397/4 | Pakistan Women | Melbourne | 1997 |
| 8 | England Women | 378/5 | Pakistan Women | Worcester | 2016 |
| 9 | England Women | 377/7 | Pakistan Women | Leicester | 2017 |
| 10 | England Women | 376/2 | Pakistan Women | Vijayawada | 1997 |
Breaking Down the Record-Breaking Innings
New Zealand’s 491/4 vs Ireland (2018)
- This is the highest ODI score in women’s cricket—a record that still stands. Suzie Bates set the tone with a blistering 151 off 94 balls, smashing boundaries all around Dublin’s YMCA Cricket Club. Maddy Green contributed 122 off 77, and teenage sensation Amelia Kerr added an unbeaten 81.
- The White Ferns posted 491/4 at nearly 10 runs per over. Ireland’s reply? 144 all out. New Zealand won by 347 runs—one of the most lopsided margins in ODI history. It wasn’t just the total that impressed; it was the relentless intent from ball one.
New Zealand’s 455/5 vs Pakistan (1997)
- At Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand captain Maia Lewis led from the front with 105 off 72 balls. Trudy Anderson, Debbie Hockley, and Clare Nicholson all chipped in with significant contributions as the White Ferns racked up 455/5.
- Pakistan’s response was shockingly poor—47 all out in 23 overs. New Zealand won by 408 runs, which remains the largest margin of victory by runs in women’s ODI cricket. That kind of dominance is rare, even in mismatches.
Amelia Kerr’s 232* Powers New Zealand to 440/3
- In the third ODI of the same 2018 Ireland series, 17-year-old Amelia Kerr produced one of the greatest individual performances in cricket history. She scored an unbeaten 232 off 145 balls—the highest individual score in Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup qualifiers and bilateral series combined.
- Leigh Kasperek supported her with a maiden century (113), and the pair added a record 295-run partnership. Kerr then took 5 for 17 with the ball as Ireland folded for 135. New Zealand won by 305 runs. That kind of all-round performance defines match-winning ability.
India’s Statement 435/5 vs Ireland (2025)
- India’s recent entry into the 400+ club was spectacular. Pratika Rawal top-scored with 154 off 129, while captain Smriti Mandhana smashed 135 off just 80 deliveries. Their opening stand of 233 laid the platform for India’s 435/5 in Rajkot.
- This was the highest individual score in Women’s ODI cricket India has posted, and it came during a dominant series sweep. Pratika Rawal was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, amassing 310 runs across three games. Ireland managed only 131 in reply, losing by 304 runs.
Belinda Clark’s Historic 229* (1997)
- Before Kerr, there was Belinda Clark. In the 1997 Women’s World Cup, Clark became the first player—male or female—to score a double century in ODI cricket. Her unbeaten 229 off 155 balls against Denmark in Mumbai remains one of cricket’s landmark achievements.
- Australia posted 412/3, with Karen Rolton and Lisa Keightley providing solid support. Denmark was bowled out for just 49. Australia’s 363-run win was emphatic, but Clark’s double ton is what people remember. It set the standard for individual excellence in women’s cricket.
The Women’s Cricket Highest Score Player
- Amelia Kerr holds the record for the highest individual score in women’s ODI cricket with her 232* against Ireland. That innings came when she was just 17, showing maturity and skill beyond her years. She didn’t just accumulate runs—she dominated, hitting 31 fours and two sixes while maintaining a strike rate over 160.
- Other standout individual performances in these high-scoring games include Belinda Clark’s 229*, Pratika Rawal’s 154, and Suzie Bates’ 151. These knocks weren’t just about personal milestones; they set up dominant team totals that opposition sides had no answer to.
Expert Insight: What Makes a 400+ Total Possible?
Posting 400 in an ODI isn’t just about batting talent. Several factors align:
- Flat pitches and small boundaries: Most of these totals came on batting-friendly surfaces with short boundaries, especially in Ireland during 2018.
- Quality gap: Every 400+ score has come against lower-ranked teams. The bowling depth just isn’t there to contain top-order firepower.
- Aggressive intent from ball one: Teams don’t stumble into 400. It requires calculated aggression throughout, not just in the death overs.
- Depth in batting: Notice how many of these totals feature multiple centurions or big partnerships lower down the order. It’s not just about the top three.
The psychology matters too. Once a team crosses 300 in 40 overs, the opposition knows they’re chasing history, and that pressure often leads to collapses.
Women’s ODI Highest Score Chase
- While teams have posted massive totals, successful chases remain rare at this level. The highest successful chase in women’s ODIs is 279/7 by Ireland against Netherlands in 2021. Compare that to the 400+ totals we’ve discussed, and you see why these games are usually one-sided.
- The mental challenge of chasing 400+ is enormous. Batters know they can’t afford a single quiet over, which leads to poor shot selection and quick wickets. That’s why the women’s cricket highest score team performances rarely face genuine threats in the second innings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the highest team score in women’s ODI cricket?
New Zealand’s 491/4 against Ireland in Dublin (2018) is the highest team total in women’s ODI history.
- Who scored the highest individual score in women’s ODI cricket?
Amelia Kerr holds the record with 232* against Ireland in 2018, achieved when she was just 17 years old.
- Which teams have scored 400+ in women’s ODIs?
Only New Zealand (four times), Australia (twice), and India (once) have crossed the 400-run mark in women’s ODIs.
- What is the top 10 highest score in women’s ODI cricket player?
The top individual scores include Amelia Kerr (232*), Belinda Clark (229*), Pratika Rawal (154), Suzie Bates (151), and Lisa Keightley (156), among others.
- What is the most runs in women’s international cricket in all formats?
Mithali Raj holds the record for most runs across all formats in women’s international cricket with over 10,000 runs combined.
The Future of Big Scoring in Women’s Cricket
New Zealand’s dominance in the 400+ club is undeniable, but the landscape is shifting.
India’s recent performance against Ireland shows they’ve got the firepower to challenge that record. Australia, with their consistent batting depth, won’t be far behind either.
The question isn’t just about who’ll score the next 400+—it’s whether we’ll see a 500-plus total in the near future.
With pitches getting flatter, boundaries staying short in some venues, and power-hitting becoming more common, it’s only a matter of time.
What’s clear is that the gap between top teams and emerging nations needs to close. Otherwise, these records will keep coming against the same opposition, which doesn’t truly test the limits of modern batting.
The real challenge would be posting 400+ against Australia, England, or India—teams with quality bowling attacks and tactical nous.
Until then, New Zealand’s four 400+ scores remain the benchmark for sustained batting excellence in women’s ODI cricket.
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