PHOTOS: Gayle double ton helps Windies overpower Zimbabwe

Photos from the Pool B match played between West Indies and Zimbabwe at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.

The West Indies rode on Chris Gayle’s record-breaking double hundred to score a 73-run victory over Zimbabwe, via the Duckworth-Lewis method, in the World Cup match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, on Tuesday.

Gayle's record double century flattens Zimbabwe

Scorecard

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The dashing opener slammed his way into the annals of cricket, becoming the first player to score a double century in the World Cup. His 215 off just 147 balls included a record-equalling 16 sixes and 10 fours to help West Indies amass 372 for 2 after electing to bat first.

The big-hitting Jamaican was also involved in a record 372-run second-wicket partnership with centurion Marlon Samuels (133) 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, the ton coming off 105 balls. He reached his double ton off 138 balls, hitting Tendai Chatara for a boundary.

While his first hundred was a workmanlike effort, the second saw Gayle at his devastating best (off a mere 33 balls).

The West Indies smashed the hapless Zimbabwe bowlers for 195 runs in the last 13 overs, 152 of them coming in the final 10.

Gayle was ably supported by Samuels, who scored 133 off 156 balls, with the help of 11 fours and three sixes.

Opting to bat at the Manuka Oval, Gayle was fortunate to have survived a contentious LBW decision when he was yet to open his account. And then he was also dismissed off a no-ball, much to the Zimbabweans' misery.

But before that, Tinashe Panyangara was hit for 82 runs in nine overs, while Tendai Chatara gave away 74 in 9.4 overs.

Faced with a daunting task, the Zimbabweans were off to a horrendous start, losing opener Regis Chakabva (2) and Hamilton Masakadza (5) cheaply.

Sikandar Raza scored 26 while Brendan Taylor 37 off 48 balls.

But it was Sean Williams who top-scored with a 61-ball 76 (nine boundaries).

Craig Ervine contributed 52 off 41 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before being bowled by Gayle.

Zimbabwe were never in the game and were soon at the receiving end in their second loss in as many games.

Gayle also contributed with the ball, picking a couple of wickets for 35 runs from his six overs.