West Indies vs. Zimbabwe: Highlights, Scorecard, Report from Cricket World Cup

Chris Gayle smashed the first double century in Cricket World Cup history as the West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 73 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in Canberra.

Gayle hit 215 from 147 balls and put on 372 with Marlon Samuels to set a new record for the highest partnership in one-day international history.

"

Chris Gayle's Wagon Wheel from his record innings of 215! WATCH it all here! http://t.co/q01jOlhXlS #cwc15 #WIvZIM pic.twitter.com/s6OX6ilNtN

— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2015"

West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bat, made 372-2 in their 50 overs at the Manuka Oval. A brief shower adjusted the target to 363 in 48 overs with the Zimmies dismissed for 289 in 44.3 overs in their reply.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Dwayne Smith		b Panyangara	0	1	2	0	0
Gayle	c Chigumbura	b H Masakadza	215	215	147	10	16
Samuels	not out		133	212	156	11	3
Extras		5nb 16w 1b 2lb	24
	Bowler		Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
	Panyangara		9	0	82	1
	Chatara		9.4	0	74	0
	Williams		5	0	48	0
	Chigumbura		7	0	44	0
	Raza		10	1	45	0
	Kamungozi		3	0	37	0
	H Masakadza		6.2	0	39	1

The 35-year-old from Jamaica reached 200 off just 138 balls with an incredible 16 sixes.

"

WATCH: Chris Gayle reaches his double hundred. Watch the action on Sky Sports World Cup #fireitup #cwc15 - http://t.co/DMTddkOJip

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 24, 2015"

It was only the fifth double century in the history of one-day international cricket and his final total was the third highest individual score in the history of the 50-over game, just behind Rohit Sharma's landmark 264 last year.

"

Highest Scores IN ODIs.. pic.twitter.com/0XdASKx9US

— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) February 24, 2015"

Gayle was eventually dismissed off the final ball of the innings and left the field to a standing ovation. He also hit 10 boundaries in his knock.

"

West Indies applaud Gayle's EPIC innings! https://t.co/H2YZkjrbWC

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 24, 2015"

The innings somewhat overshadowed the 133 from Marlon Samuels which came off a relatively sedate 156 balls.

"

Manuel Samuels 95 balls - the slowest fifty in #CWC15 Ian Bell had made his in 80 balls vs Scotland #WIvZim

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 24, 2015"

Dwayne Smith’s poor run continued as he was bowled off the second ball of the innings by Tinashe Panyangara, who two balls later thought he had trapped Gayle lbw.

He was given not out and the tall Kingston-born opener dodged a bullet as replays showed it was only clipping the top of the stumps which meant the ruling on the field stood.

"

.@ShaneWarne reckons Zimbabwe were 'robbed'! What do you think? Watch and vote here: http://t.co/a1uUalyX4Z #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/DGlgNSepEL

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 24, 2015"

Gayle took full advantage and accelerated throughout his innings as the Zimbabwe bowlers suffered some brutal treatment.

"

Gayle's Scoring Pattern 0-50 runs - 51 balls 51-100 runs - 54 balls 101-150 runs - 22 balls 150-200 runs - 12 balls pic.twitter.com/Xxf0SbFhPU

— Cricketopia.com (@Cricketopia) February 24, 2015"

Rain meant the Zimmies were chasing 363 off 48 overs but that daunting challenge was never a real possibility, despite some flickers of quality.

Sean Williams coasted to 76 from 61 balls, while Craig Ervine added 51 in good time as the African team recovered from a start which left them 46-3.

But it was a fight they could not win, especially when Gayle then took the ball in hand and found his magic touch remained.

With his off-spinners he picked up a couple of wickets and even accounted for Elton Chigumbura with a sharp catch, as the chase fizzled out.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Raza	c Simmons	b Holder	26	36	20	5	0
Chakabva	lbw	b Holder	2	7	5	0	0
H Masakadza	lbw	b Taylor	5	11	14	0	0
Taylor	c Ramdin	b Samuels	37	61	48	2	1
Williams	c Dwayne Smith	b Holder	76	80	61	9	0
C Ervine		b Gayle	52	62	41	7	1
Matsikenyeri	lbw	b Gayle	19	38	23	2	0
Chigumbura	c Gayle	b Taylor	21	32	20	1	1
Panyangara	c Ramdin	b Taylor	4	11	8	0	0
Chatara		b Miller	16	25	20	1	0
Kamungozi	not out		6	12	9	1	0
Extras		2nb 14w 0b 9lb	25
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Taylor			10	0	38	3
Holder			7	0	48	3
Miller			6	0	48	1
Samuels			9	0	59	1
Russell			5	0	44	0
Sammy			1	0	8	0
Gayle			6	0	35	2

After being stunned by Ireland in their opening match, West Indies have hit back in style by thrashing Pakistan in Christchurch on Saturday and now recording their second win in Pool B.

The men from the Caribbean next play a wounded South Africa on Friday in Sydney.