Cricket World Cup Results 2015: Updated Tables After West Indies vs. Zimbabwe

The West Indies came into the 2015 World Cup in turmoil, with key players missing from the side and a turbulent year behind them.

They were given little chance of making significant progress in Australia and New Zealand, most expecting them to make it out of Pool B behind India, Pakistan and South Africa but few predicting a semi-final or final berth for the Windies.

However, after an opening loss to Ireland, a convincing win over Pakistan and Tuesday's Chris Gayle-inspired victory against Zimbabwe, things look a little different.

Here are the latest group standings after West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, per ESPNcricinfo:

Pool A
Pool B
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Net Run Rate	Points
New Zealand	3	3	0	0	0	3.59	6
Australia	2	1	0	0	1	2.22	3
Bangladesh	2	1	0	0	1	2.10	3
Sri Lanka	2	1	1	0	0	-0.86	2
England	3	1	2	0	0	-1.42	2
Afghanistan	2	0	2	0	0	-1.18	0
Scotland	2	0	2	0	0	-2.74	0
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Net Run Rate	Points
India	2	2	0	0	0	2.06	4
West Indies	3	2	1	0	0	1.34	4
Ireland	1	1	0	0	0	0.62	2
South Africa	2	1	1	0	0	-0.68	2
Zimbabwe	3	1	2	0	0	-0.83	2
United Arab Emirates	1	0	1	0	0	-0.26	0
Pakistan	2	0	2	0	0	-2.26	0

Gayle scored the World Cup's first ever double century—and only the fifth in ODIs—as he returned to form in some style, scoring 215 runs from 147 balls as the West Indies finished their 50 overs with an enormous total of 372-2.

BBC Sport provides the salient details from Gayle's immense knock:

Due to a slight rain delay, Zimbabwe were given a revised target of 363 off 48 overs to chase, and despite Sean Williams' impressive 76, they were all out for 289 to record their second loss of the tournament.

Coming just three days after the West Indies thrashed Pakistan by 150 runs, Tuesday's performance—which also included Marlon Samuels' unbeaten 133—shows they have the potential to go far at the 2015 World Cup.

As cricket writer Freddie Wilde notes, Gayle's 215 marks a significant return to form for the 35-year-old left-hander:

As arguably the most important player in the side, his continued excellence is essential for Windies success, as on form, he can destroy even the best bowling attacks in the business.

Along with the likes of Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy, the West Indies have a destructive group of batsmen, which was proven by their three 300-plus innings in three matches so far at the World Cup.

However, they have a weak bowling lineup and thus need to continue to post big scores if they are to defend them effectively going forward.

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

After their opening defeat to Ireland, the West Indies were looking like potential group-stage casualties Down Under. After Tuesday's result, they sit second in Pool B and pose a genuine threat to the rest of the competitors.

As for Zimbabwe, a second loss from three matches—after a previous loss to South Africa and defeat of the United Arab Emirates—makes their next match against Pakistan on Sunday a huge occasion.

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Pakistanis currently sit rock bottom of a competitive Pool B—only UAE seem certain to miss out on the first knockout round—after two heavy defeats but have the quality to turn things around.

With Ireland having won their opener—and likely victors against UAE in Wednesday's match—another loss for Zimbabwe would see them staring at a group-stage exit.

Their bowling performances need to improve dramatically, both West Indies and South Africa having posted scores way over 300 against them, and even UAE managed a respectable 285-7 in defeat.

The West Indies are certainly a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup, and their Friday clash with South Africa is likely to be a fine occasion.

If Gayle can produce once again, the hotly tipped Proteas may be staring at a second consecutive defeat after they were thrashed by India on Sunday, and Pool B would open up even further.