West Indies won the match against Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L method) in a thrilling encounter. Chris Gayle and Marlin Samuels escorted West Indies to a whooping total of 372 runs. D/L method set the target of 363 runs in 48 overs for Zimbabwe in chase of which they failed and whole team got out in 45th over at the total of 289 runs.
Match Report: Pool B: 15th Match, West Indies v Zimbabwe; Canberra; Feb 24, 2015
Exactly after five years when the first double century (Sachin Tendulkar hit first double ODI ton on 24th February 2010) of One Day Cricket was scored, Chris Gayle scored the first double century of the World Cup, overall fifth of the ODI cricket. A flawless, flamboyant, exhilarating and monumental innings it was.
It was a perfectly perfect comeback for Chris Gayle who was out of touch for quite a while and hasn’t hit a century since 19 months. He finished on 215 from 147 balls, an innings packed with boundaries. He hit 10 fours and 16 sixes across the stadium. Besides Gayle, Samuels made his highest ODI score of 133 runs.
Gayle who got dismissed on the final ball of the innings when asked about his outstanding performance he said his fans expected such performance from him. "A lot of fans," he said, "have tweeted about it since Rohit Sharma scored two double-hundreds," said Gayle who was interviewed immediately after his innings.
All odds were against Zimbabwe, their bowlers were all helpless in front of Gayle and Samuels, neither of their tricks, techniques or skills worked in front of them and not even rain came for their rescue when needed. Gayle and Samuels smashed Zimbabwe’s bowling into pieces and stood from the first over to the end on the crease and hence made a record 372 runs partnership, highest for any wicket in ODI’s.
Gayle remained lucky as luck favored him this time. An umpire’s call and a no-ball saved his day. He might would have gone out on duck, Steve Davis said not out to an lbw appeal, Zimbabwe went for the review, though there wasn’t an inside edge but the Hawkeye suggested the ball would have gone on to hit the upper half of the bails. Umpire's call.
This saved West Indies who could have been for 1-2 instead of 372-2. Gayle got his second chance when he was on 121 in 40th over when was caught on long-on but was saved, thanks to Panyangara who overstepped the line and gave Gayle opportunity to score another hundred in last 10 overs.
Gayle and Samuels weren’t in hurry, they patiently build up the innings and Gayle’s first six came in 11th over, quite unconventional of a big hitter like Gayle. But his patience wins him the game, he faced 59 dot balls, or just over 40% of the total balls he faced.
Till 30th over West Indies’ run rate was under 5 RPO. It was after that they pick up the pace and at the run rate of almost 15 they hit whooping 152 runs in the last 10 overs. Gayle reached his double ton in 46th over and then it was Samuels’ turn to complete his tn. His century came up in 48th over and in the next two overs he lifted his strike rate from 69.93 to 85.25. He closed his innings on 133 off 156 balls.
373 runs target which was reduced to 363 runs in 48 overs (D/L Method) due to rain was visibly impossible for Zimbabwe but Zimbabwe exhibited enough courage and guts to give West Indies tough time in the chase.
Though Zimbabwe lost three early wickets in just 8 overs but it didn’t let them recoil their will to win and then the 80 runs partnership between Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams strengthened the Zimbabwe’s innings. After Taylor departs, Craig Ervin joined Williams and they together scored fast paced 51 runs on fifth wicket in just 46 balls. Holder got Williams out in 28th over when he was at 76.
Zimbabwe remained unlucky in the sense that they lost five wickets in their attempt to bring run rate under control, had they have wickets or West Indies would be some 50 runs short, they might have ruined Gayle and Samuels knocks.
It was Gayle’s day who bowled Ervin out when he was at 51 and in the next over he sent Stuart Matsikenyeri back to dressing room. Game was almost over for Zimbabwe who was at 239 with seven down. Tail enders though showed some resistance but it wasn’t enough, last three players added some 50 runs before getting all out on 289.
Gayle indisputably was nominated man of the match for his record breaking performance with the bat.
Scorecard:
West Indies 372 for 2 (Gayle 215, Samuels 133*) vs Zimbabwe 289 (Williams 76, Ervine 52, Taylor 3-38).
Player (s) of the Day: CH Gayle (West Indies)
Disappointment of the Day: Tinashe Panyangara