Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Records continue to tumble in the ICC World Cup during the early round of matches, writes Abu George.
However, with these games including a number of cricketing minnows, one questions whether the value of these records is diminished? To date records have now been earned while individuals played against Kenya, Ireland and ... England!
LasithMalinga, the eccentric and wiry-haired fast bowler from Sri Lanka used his round-arm action to devastating effect against Kenya, becoming the first bowler in history to claim a second hat-trick. His saving grace, as far as the record goes, is that his first was achieved in 2007 when he claimed four South African wickets with successive balls.
Next up was Jonathon Trott who became the fastest batsman in terms of innings played to reach 1,000 one-day runs. By scoring 92 in his 21st innings he equalled the record set by Sir Viv Richards and Kevin Pietersen.
Yet, with some of these matches having been against the likes of Ireland, Holland and Bangladesh, can he really be likened to Sir Viv? Furthermore, Trott's runs also come in an era where rules have been amended to produce more runs for the fans, such as shorter boundaries and powerplays.
Of these records, in my personal opinion, the one that stands up is that of the fastest World Cup century.
Kevin O'Brien, batting against England, obliterated the previous record held by Matthew Hayden in much the same devastating manner with which he took to the English bowlers.
Hayden's mark set against South Africa in 2003 was easily surpassed as O'Brien took only 50 balls to reach three figures.
What is even more remarkable is that O'Brien could not even get into the Nottinghamshire first team on a regular basis when he played for them in 2009.
In 10 matches his highest score was 42, resulting in him spending more time playing for a local village team. Ironically, they remember him more for his bowling!
