Gayle hits double ton
Chris Gayle was the start of the show as records tumbled one after another on a record breaking day in Canberra, as the West Indies beat Zimbabwe. The West Indies decided to bat first after winning the toss and lost opener Dwayne Smith on the second ball of the innings.
Zimbabwe was ecstatic after claiming and early wicket but it all went downhill for them from there, Gayle was joined on the crease by Marlon Samuels and the rest is now history. The two batsmen put on a world record 372-runs partnership for the second wicket. Gayle became the first player to score a double ton in a World Cup. He also became only the fourth player to score a double hundred. The record of scoring the fastest double hundred also fell in Gayle’s lap. Gayle also equaled the record for most sixes in an innings, hitting 16 sixes that put him level with Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers. Zimbabwe was given the task to chase a mammoth target of 373.
In reply Zimbabwe lost opener Chakabva early on, there was a brief pause because of rain and Zimbabwe was given a revised target of 363 from 48 overs. Despite losing wickets on regular intervals Zimbabwe always looked like having a chance. Gayle was called to bowl and he delivered, claiming the wicket of the dangerous looking Ervine which killed off the contest. Zimbabwe was eventually bowled out for 289, giving Windies a 73-run win.
