West Indies opener Chris Gayle hit the first double century in World Cup history in their Pool B victory over Zimbabwe at Canberra.
The 35-year-old left-hander reached 200 off 138 balls, hitting Tendai Chatara for a boundary in the 46th over.
His mark eclipsed the unbeaten 188 by South Africa’s Gary Kirsten against the United Arab Emirates in 1996.
Gayle hit a total of 16 sixes in 147 balls before he was out for 215 off the last delivery of his side’s innings.
It was also only the fifth double century in all one-day internationals and the first by a non-Indian, with Rohit Sharma (two), Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag the only other batsmen to achieve the feat.
The stand of 372 with Marlon Samuels – after Dwayne Smith had departed for a second-ball duck – was also a record partnership for any ODI wicket, surpassing the 331 shared by India’s Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999.
The story of the innings
Gayle’s knock was almost ended by the very first ball he faced but the on-field umpire turned down Tinashe Panyangara’s lbw appeal and, despite a review showing the ball would have clipped the top of the bails, the original decision stood.
He went on to reach his 22nd one-day century from 105 balls before blasting his second hundred in only 33 deliveries.
From the final ball of the innings Gayle top-edged a catch high to midwicket.
Samuels finished unbeaten on 133 from 156 balls as West Indies amassed 372-2 from their 50 overs.
After a short rain delay, Gayle then took two wickets with his part-time off-spin and a catch as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 289. The Windies won by 73 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method.
Chris Gayle hits first World Cup 200... amongst other records
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