World Cup 2019: Five tournament records that are likely to be broken

Cricket World Cup 2019 is off to a flying start and there isn't much to say in contrary. A couple of giant-killings from Bangladesh and Pakistan have also made it all the more unpredictable (take note, Brendon McCullum) and intriguing even for neutral fans watching each match.

In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the World Cup records that are seriously endangered as per the circumstances. Since the conditions in England tend to be batsman-friendly, most (that's modest, probably all) of these records bound to be broken are batting records. So without further ado, let's dive straight in.

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#1 Highest successful run chase

Ireland players celebrAlso read -ate after defeating England in the 2011 World Cup

The 2011 World Cup presented one of the most historic David vs Goliath tales when next-door European neighbours England and Ireland clashed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Obviously, Ireland were considered the underdogs in this encounter and their hopes of walking away from the stadium with their heads held high were all but crushed when Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell notched up a 167-run partnership, inspiring England to a mammoth total of 327.

This meant that the Men in Green had to pull off a record run chase to trump Goliath. Impossible, right? But after all, it's the accomplishment of the impossible that makes a tale worthy enough to be told even after 8 years. That night, Kevin O’Brien made a statement that went beyond his brawny appearance as he blazed the fastest century in World Cup history to guide his team to an ineffable victory after they were left shattered 111-5

The game of cricket has evolved since then. 300+ targets are nothing but a mere norm in the present era and the flat decks at England only make this record more likely to be broken. In fact, England could already have been the trailblazer had they not missed out on the target (349) set by Pakistan by a whisker.

#2 Highest total by a team

David Warner's 178 helped Australia amass a total of 417 against Afghanistan

2015 World Cup saw records broken galore and this one was of great import. In what seemed a pretty one-sided match from the word go, Australia managed a thumping total of 417 against minnows Afghanistan on 4 March 2015 at WACA Ground in Perth, much thanks to David Warner's heroic 178.

The tremendous total also helped the Aussies inflict a record 275-run defeat on Afghanistan.

Though this total is colossal by all accounts, it is not the largest the format has ever witnessed. Of late, the marauding English batting lineup scored 481 and 418 against Australia and West Indies respectively. Even in the World Cup warm-up match versus New Zealand in Bristol, West Indies set up a target of 421 on the scoreboard.

The ongoing tournament features teams with the most excellent batting lineups and power-hitters so it seems only a matter of time before the record has to be updated.

#3 Fastest century

Kevin O'Brien scored the fastest 100 in World Cup history against England in 2011

Notably, the fastest century in World Cup history came from a player whose team won't even be featuring in this World Cup. Nevertheless, it makes all the more sense when you realize that the player's individual brilliance a much more significant factor in this case as compared to the team's competence.

As stated earlier, it was Kevin O'Brien from Ireland who waltzed to the fastest century off 50 balls in World Cup history. In the current tournament, there are batsmen aplenty who possess the capability to manage such blistering knocks that can better O'Brien's record.

As a matter of fact, England's Jos Buttler scored a century off 50 balls against Pakistan only days before the start of World Cup in Nottingham. Glenn Maxwell is also just behind having scored 100 off 51 against Sri Lanka in 2015 World Cup. And clearly, there are epitomes of power hitting in the form of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell.

#4 Highest individual score

Martin Guptill smashed 237* in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final

Presently, the proud holder of this record is New Zealand's Martin Guptill who dethroned Chris Gayle, courtesy of his belligerent knock against West Indies that saw him score 237 off 163 balls. The innings paved the way for Kiwis to reach the semi-finals as they trounced West Indies by 143 runs in that match.

There is a vast array of batsmen in this World Cup capable of breaking this record. The former holder, Gayle, is also plying his trade for West Indies in this World Cup. He hasn't shown any signs of age catching up with him and can still plunder any bowling lineup on a given day.

England also possess the likes of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root - all of whom are more than able to supplant the New Zealand opener. Another threat could be the Indian veteran, Rohit Sharma, who has already got 3 double centuries to his name and holds the record for the highest score (264 vs Sri Lanka) in ODI format.

#5 Most runs in a tournament

Sachin Tendulkar scored 673 runs in 2003 World Cup

A number of cricket fans might be upset but Sachin Tendulkar's 16-year-old record is in jeopardy. The Master Blaster surpassed his own record of 523 runs in 1996 World Cup when he amassed a total of 673 runs in 11 innings in 2003 edition. Sadly, he could not lead India to World Cup glory as the Men in Blue lost to Australia in the final at Wanderers, Johannesburg.

With flat pitches on offer in England and 11 innings possible, there are significant chances of much higher runs being scored by a batsman in this edition. For Indian fans and Tendulkar alike, it would be a matter of pride if the record is transcended by an Indian batsman. As such, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the likely contenders.

Jonny Bairstow might also be in the running along with a whirlwind Chris Gayle. The returning Australian maestro David Warner will also pose a serious threat having flown out of the traps against Afghanistan.