Press Trust of India
Canberra, Feb 24: Chris Gayle (215, 147b, 10×4, 16×6) bludgeoned his way into the history books by becoming the first player to score a double century in the cricket World Cup as the West Indies notched up a 73-run victory over Zimbabwe here Tuesday.
The destructive batsman was also involved in a record 372-run second-wicket partnership with centurion Marlon Samuels (133, 156b, 11×4, 3×6) before the West Indies bowled out the Africans for 289 in 44.3 overs during their revised chase of 363 in 48 overs post a brief spell of rain.
This was Gayle’s first century since June 2013 while Samuels got his eighth ODI ton. Such was the onslaught that West Indies smashed the hapless Zimbabwe bowlers for 195 runs in the last 13 overs, 152 of them coming in the final 10.
Gayle treated the Zimbabwean bowlers with disdain as he recaptured his best form after scoring just 36 and four in his first two knocks at the quadrennial extravaganza. It was the 35-year-old’s 22nd ton in his 266th ODI for the West Indies and in the process the burly Jamaican crossed 9000 runs. Gayle also contributed with the ball, picking up a couple of wickets from his six overs conceding 35 runs.
Faced with a daunting task, the Zimbabweans were off to a horrendous start losing opener Regis Chakabva (2) and Hamilton Masakadza (5) cheaply. The only players to make substantial contributions in the Zimbabwe innings were Sean Williams (76, 61b, 9×4), Craig Ervine (52, 41b, 7×4, 1×6) and Brendon Taylor (37, 48b, 2×4, 1×6).
Pacers Jerome Taylor (3/38) and Jason Holder (3/48) once more shone with the ball and were well supported by Gayle (2/35) bowling his spinners.
Brief Scores: West Indies 372 for two (Chris Gayle 215, Marlon Samuels 133 n o) beat Zimbabwe (target 363) 289 in 44.3 overs (Sean Williams 76, Craig Ervine 52; Jerome Taylor 3/38, Jason Holder 3/48) by 73 runs. (Duckworth Lewis method).