There are few games in the history of cricket that capture your imagination as neutral. Australia and South Africa produced one of the most memorable One Day Internationals on 12 March 2006 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Australia set a record by posting 434 for 4, the highest ODI team total at the time. But that record lasted only a few hours as South Africa responded with a remarkable chase, reaching 438 for 9 with one ball to spare. The match set several records, including the highest total of runs recorded in an ODI, and remains significant twenty years after it was played.
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Australia’s batting performance was led by Ricky Ponting who compiled 164 runs, anchoring the innings with precision and aggression. Crucial support came from Adam Gilchrist, who made 55, Simon Katich, who made 79, and Michael Hussey, who finished unbeaten on 81. Their combined efforts allowed Australia to reach a total that was previously considered unattainable in the format.
Herschelle Gibbs was the outstanding performer of the match, scoring 175 runs in a display widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI innings. Gibbs’ aggressive stroke play turned the tide for South Africa and kept the team ahead of the required run rate during a thrilling chase. Graeme Smith also played a vital role, scoring 90 runs and partnering Gibbs in a 187-run stand that formed the backbone of the South African innings.
The competition included a number of milestones. Australia’s 434 for 4 surpassed all previous team totals in ODI history at the time, and South Africa’s response set a new benchmark for successful chases. The 872 runs scored by both teams remains the highest combined total in any ODI match. Mark Boucher hit the winning runs for South Africa to secure victory with a single delivery.
Throughout the match, both teams displayed ruthless batting. The run-fest included 87 fours and 26 sixes, reflecting the aggressive intent displayed by both sides. The crowd witnessed boundary after boundary as the bowlers battled the onslaught from the batsmen for both teams.
WHAT IS GRAEME SMITH’S THRILLER?
South Africa complete the chase with a wicket to spare (Courtesy: Getty)
Smith spoke about the game in an interview in 2006 and said how Jacques Kallis claimed that Australia were 15 runs short in the end.
“While I was stuffing, Jacques Kallis came into the room and said, ‘Bowlers, we’ve done a great job and Australia are 15 runs short’. When the opposition scored 434, it broke the ice a bit and everyone burst out laughing. Then we set some targets and everyone started laughing again,” Smith said.
Smith said that in his opinion it was the greatest ODI ever played in the history of the game because of the sheer drama that unfolded during the encounter.
“Then it was just knowing, ‘I’m going out first. How do I get the team off to a good start and help the team get some momentum.’ But what a rollercoaster! Herschelle Gibbs was incredible and so was Ricky Ponting’s knock. And I think it’s still the best ODI ever played in terms of the ebb and flow, the final end of the ball and the emotion at the Wanderers,” said Smith.
The match incidentally decided the series, with South Africa winning the best-of-five by a score of 3–2.
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Published on:
March 12, 2026 12:39 PM IST
