The 438 Match: How South Africa Chased 434 Against Australia — Greatest ODI Ever
Relive the legendary chase: On 12 March 2006 at the Wanderers Stadium, South Africa completed the highest successful run chase in ODI history — 438 for 9 — after Australia posted 434. This match redefined what was possible in 50-over cricket and remains one of the most thrilling cricket games ever played
Match Highlights — Watch
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Match Context & Overview
The fifth ODI of Australia's 2005–06 tour of South Africa took an unexpected turn: Australia batted first and tallied an enormous 434/4 in 50 overs — a world-record at that time. In response, South Africa produced one of the most remarkable chase performances in cricket, finishing on 438/9 in 49.5 overs.
Full Scorecard (Summary)
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 434/4 | 50.0 |
| South Africa | 438/9 (chased) | 49.5 |
Top Batting Performances
- Herschelle Gibbs — 175 (South Africa)
- Ricky Ponting — 164 (Australia)
Notable Bowling Figures
- Mick Lewis — 10-0-113-0 (Australia)
- Other bowlers conceded many runs in a high-scoring encounter.
Key Turning Points
- Australia’s big total: Ricky Ponting's 164 anchored a relentless assault and set a huge target.
- Gibbs' masterclass: Herschelle Gibbs' 175 in a pressure chase — the innings combined timing, power and calculated risk.
- Final overs drama: The match went to the final over; South Africa held nerve to complete the chase with one wicket in hand.
Why This Match Matters
This game is frequently named among the greatest ODIs because it combined record totals, an unbelievable chase and high drama that persisted until the final ball. It changed perceptions about chasing huge totals in 50-over cricket and inspired more aggressive batting approaches globally.
Records & Stats (At a glance)
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest successful chase (ODI) | 438/9 — South Africa chased 434 (12 March 2006) |
| Highest innings (that match) | Australia 434/4 (50) |
| Match aggregate | 872 runs (One of the highest in ODI history) |
Further Reading & Sources
For ball-by-ball scorecards, detailed stats and contemporary reports, visit:
- ESPNcricinfo — Match scorecard & commentary
- Wikipedia — 5th ODI, Australia tour of South Africa 2005–06
- YouTube — Additional highlights & fan videos
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