Chris Gayle Rewrites Record Books and More from World Cup Day 11
Chris Gayle rewrote the World Cup record books as the West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L method) in Canberra on Tuesday.
The big-hitting Jamaican smashed 16 sixes and 10 fours en route to a World Cup-record score of 215.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Gayle shared a record stand of 372 with Marlon Samuels, as the West Indies recorded the fifth-highest total in the history of the World Cup.
What made Gayle's spectacular display all the more remarkable is his recent terrible form. Prior to today, his seven most recent visits to the middle produced scores of four, 36, one, nought, nought, 10 and one! Form is temporary, class is permanent, so the saying goes.
The West Indies looked in for a tricky day after Dwayne Smith was dismissed for a second-ball duck. Gayle himself looked scratchy at the start of his knock, and a score of 43 for one after 10 overs gave no indication of the carnage to come.
Once he did find his range, the crowd in Canberra were treated to a spectacular display of clean hitting.
While Gayle was delivering rocket after rocket, Samuels was chugging along serenely at the other end.
By the end of the innings, Gayle's Jamaican compatriot had found his range too. The pair added a ridiculous 207 from the final 15 overs as Samuels finished with an unbeaten 133.
"THERE IT IS!!! The Highest score EVER in the Cricket World Cup! Congratulations Chris Gayle!! http://t.co/wZRA8Ec6Zx pic.twitter.com/iLuTDh9l1i
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2015"
Chasing down a victory target of 373 never looked on, but Zimbabwe put in a decent effort with the bat. Getting to 289 was no disgrace and won't do their net run rate any harm.
Next up for the West Indies is South Africa in Sydney on Friday. The Proteas looked well off the pace while losing to India and will be vulnerable against a West Indian side rapidly growing in confidence.
Zimbabwe's next game is a must-win clash with Pakistan on Sunday 1 March. A win in Brisbane would throw the group wide open.
Shot of the Day
Though Gayle's 215 included plenty of huge strikes, few can have been as satisfying as the one that brought up his double-hundred.
The 35-year-old clubbed a slightly overpitched delivery from Tendai Chatara to the extra cover boundary to bring up his amazing milestone.
"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"
Delivery of the Day
Top-class sport is a game of fine margins, and nowhere was that more in evidence than the opening over of the West Indies innings.
After dismissing Dwayne Smith with his second ball, Zimbabwean seamer Tinashe Panyagara almost grabbed a second just two deliveries later.
Chris Gayle was struck in front by a full-length delivery, but umpire Steve Davis said no. Zimbabwe called for the review which revealed that the ball was hitting, but not firmly enough to overturn the umpire's initial verdict.
A few millimetres closer to the stumps, and the game could have turned out very differently.
Catch of the Day
The West Indians were efficient in the field, taking the catches they should have. There weren't any candidates for the catch-of-the-tournament, so the plaudits will go to Gayle.
Cricket's “Mr. Cool” followed up his majestic double-hundred by picking up two wickets and finished it off by pouching a catch at extra cover to dismiss Elton Chigumbura.
Reaction
Social media was quick to heap praise on the Gayle super show, with Aussie great Dean Jones leading the way.
"Great stuff @henrygayle on your double 100! #amazing #CWC2015 #WIvZIM
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) February 24, 2015"
Fellow Aussie Jason Gillespie had his tongue firmly in his cheek with his Twitter response.
"Lovely knock @henrygayle. It's no test double v Bangladesh but well batted nonetheless. #WIvZIM #CWC15
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) February 24, 2015"
Perhaps most interesting, for the stats nerds among us at least, was a statistical round-up from OptaJim. Amazingly, over 40 per cent of the deliveries Gayle faced were dot balls!
"215 - Here is a statistical summary of @henrygayle's 215 from 147 balls. Detail. #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/FOvQ0dGh7R
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 24, 2015"
Pool B Standings
| West Indies | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1.339 | 4 |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.618 | 2 |
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -0.68 | 2 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -0.827 | 2 |
| UAE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.258 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.26 | 0 |
Tuesday's Action
The Associate countries take centre stage on Tuesday as Ireland face the United Arab Emirates at the Gabba.
After shocking the West Indies, the Irish will be hoping to keep the pressure on their higher-profile rivals with another win on Tuesday.
The UAE lost to Zimbabwe by four wickets in their opening match.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
