World Cup 2019: 4 teams likely to breach the first 500 run total in ODIs

Over the years we have seen that balance of play has shifted more towards batsmen than bowlers. This trend has been more noticeable in the ODI format where teams back themselves to score 350 easily. Teams even kick on and score more than 400 but no one has been able to score 500 runs in ODIs till now.

England came close to achieving that feat against Australia last year when they scored 481. At one stage, it seemed that England will breach the 500 run barrier but Australia bowled well in the death overs and it was not to be the case.

Pitches were very flat in the ODI series between England and Pakistan. If pitches are similar in the World Cup, it won't be a surprise if some team manages to break the 500 run barrier in ODI cricket.

Let us look at some of the teams which have the ability to break the 500 run barrier in the World Cup:

#1 India

India

India has one of the most potent top-order in the tournament. Each batsman in the top three has the ability to get big scores which makes the batting line-up dangerous. If one of these three can kick on, India can put any score on the board as they have the ability to accelerate in the death overs.

While the middle order is yet to be sorted but lower middle order is packed with batsmen who can hit sixes at will. MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya were in exceptional form in the ICC World Cup so they must be high on confidence.

The two-time world champions would need a good start from the top-order. If they can that good start, then likes of Pandya and Dhoni can come into play. Hence, putting a score of over 500 on the board might not be beyond the reach.

#2 Australia

Australia

Australia had a bad year in 2018 but they have bounced back in 2019. The team is high on confidence after winning ODI series vs India and Pakistan. The fact that they won these tough series without David Warner and Steve Smith makes this achievement even more special.

The defending champions of the World Cup chasing 350+ score vs India with more than two overs to score. Now they have arguably their two best batsmen back in the squad. If someone like David Warner is on fire there is very little that bowlers can do.

Steve Smith can play the role of anchor and try to play a big inning while power hitters around him can take on the bowlers. The Australian bowlers are no mug with the bat either which means that they have a lot of depth in the batting. This will allow the batsmen to play more freely which might help them in breaking the 500 run barrier.

#3 England

England are the top contenders for winning this World Cup

England had a horrible campaign in the 2015 World Cup when they failed to reach the quarter-finals. Since then, England has changed their approach in ODIs as they have opted for flamboyance instead of pragmatism. This change of guard has helped them as they have been brilliant in this format of the game for the last few years.

In this time period, they have broken the world record for highest team score twice. The hosts of the World Cup set a new world record in 2016 when they scored 444/3 vs Pakistan. Then they bettered it last year by scoring 481/6 vs Australia.

It is clear that they have the ability to score big. The batting line up is packed with power hitters who can start hitting from the very first ball of the innings. The hosts have a real chance of becoming the first team to break the 500 run barrier.

#4 West Indies

West Indies have some hard-hitters in the line-up

West Indies lifted the trophy in the first two editions of the tournament. The men from the Carribean have failed to make a mark on the tournament in the last few editions. While performances have been poor in ODIs, they have been brilliant in the T20 format.

Under the leadership of Jason Holder, the two-time defending champions have seemed to found confidence again. They were brilliant in the ODI series at home vs England earlier this year. The current World cup edition would be a golden opportunity to back the past glory and they have got the side to achieve the glory.

Brilliance of Chris Gayle helped them in putting some huge scores on the board. With likes of Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, and Andre Russell in the squad, West Indies is capable of reaching any score. So don't be surprised if they manage to break the 500 run barrier.