Chris Gayle survived a close LBW call first ball and then went on a six hitting rampage; breaking numerous records on the way to a massive 215 that set his side up for a big win against Zimbabwe in Canberra in Day 11 of the Cricket World Cup.
Read more about Gayle (and the game) below:
Day 11 Results
West Indies v Zimbabwe
A wicket second ball of the innings for the Zimbabweans did not give any indication to the brutality that was to follow. From the joy of Dwayne Smith’s opening wicket (which was literally celebrated with dancing), the game quickly went pear shaped for the African side as Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels combined in world record partnership of 372. Former South African quick turned commentator Shaun Pollock put it best when he pointed out that the game got to the stage where “the fielders were becoming the spectators, and the spectators were becoming the fielders”.
Gayle hit 16 sixes on his way to becoming the first Cricket World Cup double centurion, and in the process became the first batsman to score a T20 100, an ODI 200, and a Test 300. His record breaking blitzkrieg was even more remarkable given the pressure place on him by the public and the president of the WICB who had earlier given Gayle an underhanded slap via Twitter.
This was Gayle’s first ODI hundred since 2013, and despite being predicted by us, still shocked plenty in the manner it was achieved. Gayle set the record for number of 6’s in an ODI innings and broke the record for fastest ODI double hundred. Mention should go to Marlon Samuels too. He grafted (in comparison to Gayle) an unbeaten 133 to share in the fireworks from the best seat in the house. Samuels was slower in comparison; a point that remained largely irrelevant on account of the unlikeliness of Zimbabwe chasing 373.
Zimbabwe did play well however. Sean Willians and Criag Ervine compiled accomplished half centuries, but the chase lacked a big hundred to be able to compete. They finished well short on 289, however in each of their games thus far they have managed to cross 270 which indicates their ability with the willow. Jerome Taylor picked up 3 wickets to add to his 6 previous tournament records to be the best West Indies bowler.
West Indies back on course then. Chris Gayle back in form. Every team in the competition now hoping to avoid them in the quarter-finals.
West Indies 372 for 2 (Gayle 215, Samuels 133*) beat Zimbabwe 289 (Williams 76, Ervine 52, Taylor 3-38) by 73 runs
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