Scoring a century in One Day International cricket is one of the biggest achievements for any batter. However, not every outstanding innings ends with a hundred. Some players have come within just one run of reaching the famous three-figure mark but remained unbeaten on 99. These innings are remembered as some of the most unusual moments in cricket because the batter finishes the match without another opportunity to score the single run needed for a century.
The Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History highlight some of the finest unbeaten knocks ever played in the 50-over format. In many cases, the batting side reached the target before the player could complete a century, while in others, the innings ended after the allotted overs. Although these players missed personal milestones, their innings often played a major role in helping their teams.
List of 10 Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History
10. Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke produced one of the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History when Australia faced England at The Oval on 30 June 2010. The Australian captain played a calm and responsible innings, remaining unbeaten on 99 from 106 deliveries. He built the innings with excellent shot selection, rotated the strike well, and punished loose deliveries whenever the opportunity came. Clarke looked certain to complete another ODI century, but Australia’s innings came to an end before he could score the single run needed to reach three figures. Although he missed his hundred, his unbeaten knock was one of the key reasons Australia posted a strong total. It remains one of the finest examples in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History, showing how a player can dominate an innings while finishing just one run short of a century.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 106 |
| Fours | 7 |
| Sixes | 0 |
| Strike Rate | 93.39 |
9. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag played one of the most entertaining innings in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History during India’s chase against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on 16 August 2010. Famous for his fearless batting style, Sehwag attacked from the very first over and kept the scoreboard moving with aggressive stroke play. He smashed 99 not out from just 100 balls, including 11 boundaries and two sixes. India successfully chased the target before Sehwag had the chance to score the one run needed for his century. Even though he missed the milestone, his unbeaten innings guided India to victory and remains one of the most memorable knocks in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 100 |
| Fours | 11 |
| Sixes | 2 |
| Strike Rate | 99.00 |
READ MORE: Top 5 Youngest Players to score a hundred in ODIs
8. Mohammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf produced a brilliant batting display against India that still ranks among the Highest 99 not-out scores in ODI Cricket History. Batting with great patience and timing, Yousuf remained unbeaten on 99 from 104 deliveries. He played elegant cricket shots all around the ground and kept Pakistan’s innings together under pressure. His innings included seven boundaries and two sixes, but he never received another chance to score the final run before the innings ended. Despite missing a century, his classy performance is remembered as one of Pakistan’s finest unbeaten innings and remains an important part of the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 104 |
| Fours | 7 |
| Sixes | 2 |
| Strike Rate | 95.19 |
7. Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge played a match-winning innings that deserves a place among the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History. Chasing against New Zealand, Hodge attacked confidently from the start and reached 99 not out from only 86 balls. His innings featured seven fours and one six while maintaining an outstanding strike rate throughout the chase. Australia reached the winning target before Hodge could complete his century, leaving him stranded on 99 not out. Even though he missed a personal milestone, his aggressive batting ensured victory and made this one of the most exciting entries in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 86 |
| Fours | 7 |
| Sixes | 1 |
| Strike Rate | 115.11 |
6. Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ramnaresh Sarwan played one of the most dependable unbeaten knocks in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History when he faced India in Ahmedabad. Batting with excellent discipline, Sarwan stayed unbeaten on 99 from 104 balls and anchored the West Indies innings under pressure. He struck eight boundaries while building valuable partnerships and keeping his team competitive throughout the match. Unfortunately, the innings ended before he could score the single run needed for a century. Although he narrowly missed the landmark, his performance remains one of the finest examples in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History, proving that an unbeaten 99 can be just as valuable as a hundred.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 104 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Sixes | 0 |
| Strike Rate | 95.19 |
5. Alistair Campbell
Alistair Campbell played one of Zimbabwe’s finest ODI innings when he remained unbeaten on 99 against New Zealand in Bulawayo on 1 October 2000. His innings is an important entry in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History because of the patience and responsibility he showed throughout the match. Campbell anchored the innings from one end, rotating the strike consistently while punishing loose deliveries. He reached 99 after facing 124 balls and looked certain to score a century, but Zimbabwe’s innings ended before he could reach the landmark. Although he missed out on a hundred, his unbeaten knock gave Zimbabwe a solid platform and remains one of the most memorable performances in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History. It also highlighted Campbell’s ability to build long innings under pressure while leading from the front.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 124 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Sixes | 0 |
| Strike Rate | 79.83 |
4. Andy Flower
Andy Flower produced one of the greatest batting displays of his ODI career against Australia in Harare on 24 October 1999. His unbeaten 99 is widely regarded as one of the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History because it came against one of the strongest bowling attacks of that era. Flower combined excellent technique with smart shot selection as he remained unbeaten on 99 from 111 deliveries. His innings included seven boundaries and two sixes, keeping Zimbabwe competitive throughout the match. Unfortunately, he never received another chance to score the single run required for a century. Even without reaching three figures, Flower’s outstanding innings continues to be remembered among the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History for its quality and importance.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 111 |
| Fours | 7 |
| Sixes | 2 |
| Strike Rate | 89.18 |
3. Richie Richardson
Richie Richardson played a determined, unbeaten innings against Pakistan in Sharjah on 15 November 1985, producing one of the earliest entries in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History. The West Indies batter showed great patience while facing 141 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 99. His innings featured 11 fours and one six, helping his team build a competitive total through sensible batting and excellent concentration. Richardson came within touching distance of a well-deserved century, but the innings ended before he could score the final run. Although he was left stranded on 99 not out, his performance remains one of the finest examples in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History, proving that determination and consistency are just as valuable as reaching a hundred.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 141 |
| Fours | 11 |
| Sixes | 1 |
| Strike Rate | 70.21 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Fastest Hundreds in ICC Cricket World Cup ODI History
2. Dean Jones
Dean Jones played one of the most aggressive unbeaten innings featured in the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History when Australia faced Sri Lanka in Adelaide on 28 January 1985. Jones attacked the bowlers from the beginning and raced to 99 not out from just 77 deliveries. His entertaining innings included four boundaries and three sixes while maintaining an outstanding strike rate of 128.57. Australia completed the match before Jones could score the final run required for his century. Although he finished one run short, his explosive batting entertained the crowd and helped Australia gain control of the contest. This unforgettable performance continues to rank among the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History because of its remarkable scoring rate and fearless approach.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 77 |
| Fours | 4 |
| Sixes | 3 |
| Strike Rate | 128.57 |
1. Bruce Edgar
Bruce Edgar holds a special place in cricket history after recording the first-ever unbeaten 99 in ODI cricket. His memorable innings against India in Auckland on 14 February 1981 stands at the top of the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History. Edgar displayed outstanding patience and concentration throughout his innings, remaining unbeaten on 99 after facing 136 balls. He struck six boundaries and one six while carefully building New Zealand’s total. Although he came within one run of a century, the innings ended before he had another opportunity to bat. His remarkable knock became one of the most famous near-centuries in ODI history and continues to be remembered decades later. Because it was the first unbeaten 99 in the format, Bruce Edgar’s innings deserves the number one position among the Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History, making it one of the most iconic performances in One Day International cricket.
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Innings Score | 99* |
| Balls | 136 |
| Fours | 6 |
| Sixes | 1 |
| Strike Rate | 72.79 |
The Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History remind cricket fans that a player does not always need a century to produce a legendary innings. Every batter featured on this list came within just one run of reaching one of cricket’s biggest personal milestones, but still made a huge contribution to their team’s performance. Whether it was Michael Clarke’s composed innings, Virender Sehwag’s explosive chase, Andy Flower’s masterclass against Australia, or Bruce Edgar’s historic unbeaten knock, each performance has earned a permanent place in ODI history.
The Highest 99 Not Out Scores in ODI Cricket History also highlight how unpredictable One Day International cricket can be. A team may finish a successful run chase before a batter reaches 100, or the allotted overs may end with the player stranded on 99 not out. Despite missing a century, these innings are celebrated because they displayed outstanding skill, consistency, and match awareness.