5 possible events that shouldn't surprise you at the 2015 Cricket World Cup

We are just a couple of days away from cricket’s biggest extravaganza – the ICC Cricket World Cup. Will India retain the trophy? Will we see a home side winning the title for the second consecutive edition? Do we have any surprises in store? These questions will be answered in the coming weeks.The focus has also been on the format as it has become more batsman-friendly over the years. So expect some records to tumble during the course of the tournament, and hence you shouldn’t be surprised when any of these 5 following events occur:

#5 Record for fastest World Cup century being broken

Do not be surprised if someone breaks Kevin O’Brien’s record of scoring the fastest 100 in a World Cup match. Matthew Hayden had the record when he scored a 100 off just 66 balls during the 2007 World Cup.

O’Brien then set the bar with a blistering 50-ball hundred against England during the previous edition, and this time, one can expect the current crop of players to take it to the next level with a century of just 40-odd deliveries.

With just four fielders outside the circle, the finishers are having a blast during the death overs and with reverse swing literally being taken out of the equation, the chances of teams scoring 100 or more in the last 10 overs has increased drastically.

There are too many contenders including the man who just broke the ODI record with a swashbuckling 31-ball hundred, AB de Villiers. Others like Corey Anderson (who held it previously), Luke Ronchi and David Miller (has a 38-ball 100 in the IPL) have a great chance as well. Or just like how O’Brien surprised us last time, we could well see another breakthrough star in this year’s edition.

#4 No Asian team in the final

The last time we had two non-Asian teams in the final of the World Cup was way back in 1987 when we had Australia meeting England for the grand prize.

So, for the first time in 28 years, we might see it happen again because none of the 3 Asian powerhouses look very strong to go all the way to Melbourne on March 29.

India haven’t won a single official game ever since landing in Australia, and their recent record in New Zealand doesn't look pleasing either. They are still expected to make it to the semi-finals, but honestly, they are not expected to get past Australia, South Africa or New Zealand to get into the final.

Pakistan have been weakened by the absence of Mohammed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal, and they haven't played in Australia for a while now. So they are not expected to go past the quarters. Even though Sri Lanka have a pretty good record in Australia in ODI cricket in recent years, their ageing squad could find it hard on the field especially with longer boundaries in Australia. They were also given a sound thrashing by New Zealand recently.

So none of these Asian teams make you feel confident. And, on the other hand, the likes of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have all been in great form and two of those 3 will also have home advantage to bank on. So expect one among the trio to win the whole tournament, and the other to be the runners-up.

#3 A double hundred

There is a common feeling that a double century in ODI cricket can only be scored on sub-continental flat conditions which are also aided by small boundaries. But the pitches during this tournament might not assist the seamers as much as they usually do in Australia. We saw a glimpse of that in the Australia vs India Test matches recently. So in this case, the probability of seeing a double hundred for the first time in a World Cup is really high.

If not in Australia, then the possibility is much higher in New Zealand considering the short boundaries over there. So don't be surprised if someone like a Brendon McCullum or a Chris Gayle or even Rohit Sharma (again) goes all guns blazing to register the first double century in World Cup history.

Gary Kirsten's 188 against UAE which is still the highest individual score in World Cups doesn't look safe.

#2 An associate team in the knockout stage

In the tournament's 40-year history, we have had an associate team making it to the knockout stage only once. Kenya shocked the world by making it to the semi-finals in the 2003 edition (where they beat Sri Lanka in the Super Six stage and gave finalists India and Australia a scare). Now many would wonder how can someone dispossess any of the top 8 ranked teams during this year’s World Cup, but it looks like a slight possibility does exist now.

In fact, the chances of an associate team making it to the quarterfinals are higher than what Bangladesh have and it’s largely because of the conditions and a weakened West Indies squad.

We are talking about the Irish national team here as they do have a good group of players currently and if they can do well in sub-continental conditions (which they did in 2011 defeating England), I see no reason why they cannot defeat a depleted, low on confidence West Indies squad under much favourable conditions this time around.

Not having Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine is a huge blow for the Windies and the battering that they received in South Africa has only made matters worse. So the match between Ireland and West Indies could virtually be a knockout clash with the winner taking the 4th spot in Pool B.

Even though people rate Afghanistan highly, you still cannot see them eliminate one among Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to reach the last 8 stage.

#1 A new champion

So many neutrals have been crying out loud for a new champion to emerge and their prayers could well be answered this time around. Among the top 8 teams, we have had five teams win the title. So what chances do the other 3 have to finally win the big one?

England: Probably the least favoured among the 3 but don't count them out yet. Their pacers showed during the Carlton Mid tri-series that they can prove to be really handful in these conditions (or maybe the Indian batsmen made them look so good?) and if the likes of Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root can chip in, then they actually have a good chance of making the final for the 4th time in their history. And, of course, they have Jos Buttler as their X-factor alongside Moeen Ali.

South Africa: Definitely huge favourites, something they have always been in such world tournaments over the years. But the kind of form Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have especially been in, you really can't see them getting knocked out early. And should I even mention their pace attack?

New Zealand: They usually punch above their weight and make it to the last 4 stage where they falter, but expect them to go all the way this time considering they have home advantage (they will play their knockout matches at home barring the World Cup final) and their recent form in this format.