In ODI cricket, the top-order batters are expected to do the heavy lifting to set a massive total or chase a target. But on some occasions, early collapse can happen, prompting the middle and lower-order batters to step up.
There have been instances of lower-order batters holding their nerves and pulling their teams out of a precarious situation with gritty partnerships.
Here, in this article, we’ll look at the top 10 highest partnerships that came for 6th or lower wickets in ODIs.
Highest Partnership for 6th or Lower Wickets in ODI
| Pair | Team | Runs | Wicket | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD Elliott, Luke Ronchi | New Zealand | 267* | 6th | vs Sri Lanka | Dunedin | 23 Jan 2015 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 242 | 6th | vs Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 9 Feb 2024 |
| MS Dhoni, Mahela Jayawardene | Asia XI | 218 | 6th | vs Africa XI | Chennai | 10 Jun 2007 |
| AT Carey, Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 212 | 6th | vs England | Manchester | 16 Sep 2020 |
| Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 202* | 8th | vs Afghanistan | Wankhede | 7 Nov 2023 |
| S Matsikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu | Zimbabwe | 188 | 6th | vs South Africa | Benoni | 8 Nov 2009 |
| Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid | England | 177 | 7th | vs New Zealand | Birmingham | 9 Jun 2015 |
| Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka | Sri Lanka | 177 | 6th | vs Pakistan | Karachi | 30 Sep 2019 |
| Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Bangladesh | 174* | 7th | vs Afghanistan | Chattogram | 23 Feb 2022 |
| Brad Haddin, Mike Hussey | Australia | 165 | 6th | vs West Indies | Kuala Lumpur | 18 Sep 2006 |
| Brendon McCullum, CD McMillan | New Zealand | 165 | 6th | vs Australia | Hamilton | 20 Feb 2007 |
| Asghar Afghan, Samiullah Shinwari | Afghanistan | 164 | 6th | vs Bangladesh | Fatullah | 1 Mar 2014 |
| AR Cusack, Kevin O’Brien | Ireland | 162 | 6th | vs England | Bengaluru | 2 Mar 2011 |
| Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | 162 | 7th | vs India | Hyderabad | 18 Jan 2023 |
| MO Odumbe, AV Vadher | KENYA | 161 | 6th | vs Sri Lanka | Southampton | 30 May 1999 |
Key Insights
New Zealand’s Grant Elliott and Luck Rochi stitched the highest partnership for the sixth or lower wicket in ODIs. The herculean partnership of 267 runs between them unfolded for the sixth wicket against Sri Lanka. New Zealand were reeling at 93/5, then Elliott and Ronchi put the brakes on falling wickets, helping post 360/5 on the board.
During his stay on the pitch, Rochi contributed an unbeaten 170 off 99 balls. Ronchi’s knock is the highest score by a No. 7 batter in ODIs. It also features among the top 10 highest scores by wicketkeepers in the 50-over format.
The 242-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi is the highest for the sixth wicket in a run chase. Unfortunately, it came in a losing cause, as Afghanistan fell short of Sri Lanka’s target of 382 by 42 runs.
England’s Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid collaborated for the highest ODI partnership for the seventh wicket against New Zealand in 2015. The 177-run partnership pushed England to their first 400+ total (408/9) in ODIs. (Check out the highest team totals in ODIs here.)
The pair of Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins made history in the 2023 World Cup as they notched up a 202* run partnership for the eighth wicket. This is the only 200+ partnership that has come below the sixth wicket.
132 & 106: These are the two partnerships that unfurled for the ninth and tenth wickets, respectively. Sri Lanka’s veterans, Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, were involved in the 132-run partnership against Australia in 2010. And Windies batting legend Viv Richards found an able company in Michael Holding to foster a 106-run partnership for the last wicket against England in 1984.
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