Highest Run Chase in T20 by Australia – Exhibiting Batting Supremacy

Australia, one of the superpowers in cricket, has showcased its batting prowess in T20 cricket over the years. With a line-up comprising hard hitters like David Warner, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and others, Australia has successfully chased down massive targets in T20 internationals.

Let’s analyze Australia’s highest run chase in T20 cricket and the top knocks that made it possible.

Australia’s Dominance in T20 Cricket

Ever since playing its first T20I match in 2005 against New Zealand, Australia has established itself as a dominant T20I team. The Aussies are the only team to have won the T20 World Cup more than once.

Some of Australia’s achievements in T20 internationals:

• Won the 2007, 2010 and 2021 T20 World Cup tournaments.
• Have the most wins (92) after playing 138 T20Is.
• Have a win-loss ratio of 1.53 – the best for teams with over 50 matches.
• Were ranked No.1 T20I team from February to May 2022.
• Have twice scored over 200 runs in a T20I innings – 209/3 against England in 2013 and 221/5 against New Zealand in 2018

With such credentials, it is not surprising Australia boasts some massive run chases too. Let’s look at the 5 highest successful run chases by Australia in T20 cricket.

Australia’s Top 5 Highest T20I Run Chases

Here are Australia’s top batting feats in chases:

1. 245/2 vs New Zealand in 2018

Score: Australia 247/2 in 19 overs

Chased: New Zealand 245/5 in 20 overs

This epic chase unfolded during a T20I at Eden Park, Auckland in February 2018. Batting first, New Zealand plundered 245/5 riding on skipper Kane Williamson’s blistering 76 off 40 balls.

In response, D’Arcy Short gave Australia a fiery start before David Warner took charge with a magnificent 59-ball century studded with 10 fours and 5 sixes. He found able support from Glenn Maxwell who smashed 70 off 31 balls as Australia scaled the mammoth target with 7 balls to spare.

2. 170/3 vs West Indies in 2013

Score: Australia 173/3 in 17.2 overs

Chased: West Indies 170/6 in 20 overs

Chasing 171 in a T20I at The Oval, Australia lost early wickets before skipper George Bailey anchored the chase with a composed 63 off 41 balls. All-rounder James Faulkner provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 69 off 47 balls as Australia triumphed comfortably with 14 balls remaining.

3. 158/4 vs England in 2013

Score: Australia 158/4 in 19.4 overs

Chased: England 157/6 in 20 overs

In a group match of the 2013 T20 World Cup, England managed 157/6 after batting first at Chester-le-Street. The Aussies were in a spot of bother at 100/4 before Matthew Wade took charge with an aggressive 28-ball 54 to swing the game in Australia’s favor. They snuck home on the last ball with 4 wickets in hand.

4. 156/2 vs Pakistan in 2010

Score: Australia 157/2 in 17.4 overs

Chased: Pakistan 156/8 in 20 overs

Chasing 157 in a Group A encounter of the 2010 T20 World Cup, Pakistan were restricted to 156/8 by Australia’s bowlers. The Aussie openers Shane Watson and David Warner got them off to a solid start before Cameron White sealed the win with an unbeaten 43-ball 57. Australia won with 14 balls to spare.

5. 156/3 vs England in 2007

Score: Australia 157/3 in 19.5 overs

Chased: England 156/8 in 20 overs

In the group stage of inaugural World T20 in 2007, England posted 156/8 after electing to bat first. Though Australia lost early wickets, Michael Hussey anchored the chase with an unbeaten 37-ball 60. Useful contributions from Matthew Hayden (31 off 28) and Andrew Symonds (43* off 26) helped Australia notch a tense 3-wicket win on the last ball.

Notable Individual Performances in Australia’s Highest T20I Chases

While Australia benefitted from good team efforts in high run chases, stellar individual batting performances also stood out:

David Warner – 100* off 59 balls against New Zealand in 2018

Glenn Maxwell – 70 off 31 balls against New Zealand in 2018

George Bailey – 63 off 41 balls against West Indies in 2013

James Faulkner – 69* off 47 balls against West Indies in 2013

Matthew Wade – 54 off 28 balls against England in 2013

Michael Hussey – 60* off 37 balls against England in 2007

These brilliant match-winning knocks by Australian batsmen prove why they are considered amongst the most dangerous T20 players in the world.

Highest Individual Scores in Australia’s Top T20I Chases

Let’s look at the leading individual batting efforts in Australia’s successful chases of 160+ targets:

Batsman	Score	Balls	4s	6s	Against	Venue	Year
David Warner	100*	59	10	5	New Zealand	Auckland	2018
Glenn Maxwell	70	31	5	5	New Zealand	Auckland	2018
George Bailey	63	41	6	2	West Indies	London	2013
James Faulkner	69*	47	6	1	West Indies	London	2013
Michael Hussey	60*	37	5	2	England	Cape Town	2007

David Warner’s majestic unbeaten century against New Zealand in 2018 is the highest individual score for Australia during successful chases of 170+ targets in T20Is.

Key Takeaways from Australia’s Biggest T20 Chases

Analyzing Australia’s successful high run chases reveals these key patterns:

• Warner, Finch, Maxwell providing blistering starts in powerplay overs.
• Presence of in-form anchors like Bailey, Hussey, Wade to consolidate during middle overs.
• Power-hitters like Faulkner, Symonds, Watson finishing games with big hits.
• Combination of aggression and stabilization during monumental chases.
• Ability to withstand early wickets and handle pressure situations.
• Presence of multiple match-winners in the batting unit.
• Self-belief to chase down any target due to batting might.

Conclusion

Australia’s rise to the pinnacle of T20 cricket has been built on extraordinary batting firepower and fearless approach. Their ability to regularly chase down 170+ targets in T20Is exemplifies the Aussie batting depth. Veterans like Warner, Maxwell, Watson combined with young guns like Wade, McDermott, Stoinis makes Australia a threat while chasing any target. With a world-class batting unit, the Aussies are capable of pulling off even higher run chases beyond 250 in future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some queries on highest run chases by Australia in T20 internationals: