Kevin O’Brien breaks World Cup fastest century record

Kevin O'Brien hit some of the biggest sixes of the tournament in his 50-ball ton. —Photo by AFP BANGALORE: Ireland's Kevin O'Brien smashed the fastest century in World Cup history on Wednesday when he reached the landmark off just 50 balls against England. O'Brien beat Australian Matthew Hayden's record of a century off 66 balls against South Africa at St Kitts in the 2007 tournament. The 26-year-old O'Brien hit 13 boundaries and six sixes in his blistering century at the Chinnaswamy Stadium which was also the sixth fastest ODI ton of all time. Chasing England's 327-8, O'Brien shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 162 with Alex Cusack (47) as Ireland targeted a famous victory. Pakistan's Shahid Afridi hit the fastest century of all time off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Kenya in 1996.