5 worst defeats for Australia in ODIs

#1 206 run loss to New Zealand at Adelaide, 1986

Richard Hadlee

There are levels of embarrassment and humiliation, but the one delivered by New Zealand back in 1986 perhaps ticked all the boxes. It was Australia’s biggest defeat in ODI history in terms of runs and it was handed to them by their regional rivals at home. New Zealand had dominated the hosts in their tour to Australia in 1985-86 and had won the Test series 2-1. The victory at Adelaide perhaps exemplified the gulf between the two sides at the time.

New Zealand chose to bat first and made an imposing 276 in 50 overs, thanks to 60s (61 each) from Bruce Edgar and John Wright. There were contributions throughout from middle-order batsmen as the Kiwis put the Australian bowling to the sword. While many might have been hoping for a spirited Australian response, what they saw was a surrender.

Geoff Marsh went with the score on 0 and Steve Waugh followed soon after with the score on 10. Wickets kept falling as the Kiwi pace attack of Sir Richard Hadlee, Ewen Chatfield and Stu Gillespie dominated the Australians. The hosts were reduced to 20 for 4 and then 47 for 6, before they were put out of their misery in the 27th over to be all out for 70.