5 players who can break the 200-run barrier next at this World Cup

After only half of the group stage matches, we have already been treated to the first World Cup double hundred, the fastest 150 in ODIs ever, the fastest fifty in a World Cup and six 150+ scores. The perpetrators of these records have been familiar dangerous men – Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, David Warner, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Hashim Amla. Moreover, South Africa became the first team to score two consecutive 400+ scores in ODIs.There is some reason this World Cup is being touted as the World Cup of records, especially for the batsmen. As a long way remains till we reach the final, one can sense a lot more records breaking. Going by the trend, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched to expect another onslaught from a power player resulting in the second World Cup double hundred.Let us rack our brains to predict the five men who are most likely to share this record with Chris Gayle at the end of March 2015:

#1 AB de Villiers

The superhumanmilestones require superhumans to conquer. AB de Villierscan hit any bowler at any stage of the game toany part of the ground. It will be foolish to rule out De Villiers chances of reaching the milestone, even afterknowing that he has already exploded this time with arecord-breaking 162 off 66 balls. Hisother cameoshave also inflicted enough damage on oppositions, as reflected in his strike rate of 161 in the 4 matches so far.

The lynchpin of South Africas 2015 campaign, AB is arguably the most dangerous batsmen of this edition and if he continues at this neck-breakingspeed, this could well be De Villiers world cup. The match against UAE could be oneof two extremes in this World Cup and an ideal platform for AB to cross the barrier that he truly deserves to reach.

#2 Aaron Finch

If you are playing against Australia and get David Warner out, the danger is far from over. At the other end, a sturdy broad-shouldered Aaron Finch is equally dangerous when the situation calls for it.With a big 135 early in the tournament already, Finch has announced his arrival on the biggest platform of cricket. With Australia set to play another matchagainst the Associates, Finch will have a big role to play as the crucial knock-outs inch closer for the home side.

Of all the aggressive batsmen featuring in the tournament, Finch doesnt invoke the fear that a Warner or an AB does, but when he gets going in the middle, his drives rocket to the fence, his leg glances find regular gaps and his slices fly over the fielders. His batting has the raw ruthlessness of a man from a small town in Australia, ready to butcher the bowlers. On pitches that dont support swing, Finch has the capability to reachthat magical 200 in a fashion that can leave the bowlers bruised.

#3 David Warner

Fresh from the brutal 178 against Afghanistan, Warners next match is against Scotland and it would be foolhardy to think he can not match Chris Gayles feat of the magical 200.The Bellerive Oval at Hobart, where the Scots clash with Aussies, is aspecialvenue forWarner ashemade his debut test hundred against the Kiwis there. With an average of 78 in 3 games, Warners hot form adds to the power packed batting line-up of Aussies.

Australias final game is against Sri Lanka, whose bowling department has so far lacked the bite previous Sri Lankan sides had and David Warner is one man who can take them to the cleaners.

#4 Rohit Sharma

A loose shot against Pakistan and an unlucky run-out against the Proteas prevented Rohit Sharma from unleashing his brutal side on the opposition. A half-century against the UAE might have been the knockhe needed at the crease to gethis confidence up forthe rest of the World Cup.

The only man in the worldto hit two ODIdouble hundreds has been quiet in the league stage so far. With Indias campaign shifting to New Zealand forthe finalmatches of the league stage against the weaker sides Zimbabwe and Ireland, we cant discountRohit frommatching Chris Gayles feat of notching up a double hundred at World Cups.

#5 Brendon McCullum

There have been signs of the Baz storm that looms large over oppositions. With three fifties and a strike rate of 188 in the tournament, cricket fans know that Brendon McCullum isnt done yet. Australian and Englishbowlers have alreadywitnessedthe onslaught first hand from his bat.

New Zealand has already raced to the top of the table and have two easier opponents lined-up in their groupstage: Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the shorter grounds of Hamilton and Napier. The Kiwis will hope that the arm injury wont drag him down from pummeling bowling attacks with those muscle shots. If New Zealand bat first on those shorter grounds, the statistician will have a busy day at the office.