OTD 2011: Kevin O’Brien Smashed the Fastest Hundred in Cricket World Cup History

 Kevin O’Brien will always remain a part of Ireland’s cricketing folklore. The powerful all-rounder, who is currently serving as the assistant coach of the Italian Cricket Team, scripted history at the 2011 edition of the ODI World Cup, which was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Ireland faced England in a Group B fixture at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 2, 2011. England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and opted to bat first. He stitched a 91-run opening partnership with Kevin Pietersen. After Strauss was dismissed for 34, Pietersen (59), Jonathan Trott (92), and Ian Bell (81) all scored enterprising half-centuries on a belter of a track.

England finished their innings at 327/8 in their stipulated 50 overs. Trott was the pick of the batters for the Three Lions, as he smashed a run-a-ball 92, hitting nine boundaries in the process.

Chasing the mammoth total, Ireland got off to the worst possible start as they lost the wicket of their captain, William Porterfield, on the first ball itself. Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, and Niall O’Brien got starts but couldn’t convert them into notable scores. 

When Kevin walked out to bat, England had a stranglehold on the match. Ireland were reeling at 111/5 in 24.2 overs as Gary Wilson had just departed. Ireland needed another 217 runs in just 154 balls. Kevin fought fire with fire, taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. He respected the good balls and punished anything that was in his arc. The right-handed batter, who was only 27 years old at the time, became the fastest ODI World Cup centurion, belting 13 fours and six sixes against the Three Lions. 

Kevin brought up his three-figure score off just 50 balls during the encounter. He surpassed the record held by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who made a 66-ball ton in the previous edition of the ODI World Cup in 2007 against South Africa in St Kitts. 

Coming back to Kevin’s knock, finished his blitzkrieg with a strike rate of 179.36. He made a mockery of the boundaries at the Chinnasway, which are not that big anyway.

Alex Cusack and John Mooney also played crucial knocks down the order, making 47 and 33 not out, respectively. While Kevin was run out at the start of the 49th over, Mooney and Trent Johnston took the team home with five balls to spare. 

Graeme Swann’s performance with the ball was one of the rare silver linings for England. Kevin won the Player of the Match award after Ireland won by three wickets in a match for the ages.

This was the fastest ODI ton in World Cups at the time and sixth-fastest overall in the format. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Aiden Markram and Glenn Maxwell toppled the record, as they scored centuries in 49 and 40 balls, respectively.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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