Published: Feb 24, 2015, 06:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2015, 06:02 PM (IST)
It was that sort of a day which kept the fans as well as the statisticians busy. One after one, Chris Gayle dispatched balls out of the ground making the fans erupt while the statisticians had to re-write the record books.
This February 24 marked the fifth anniversary of Sachin Tendulkar’s double hundred, which was the first ever in One-Day Internationals, and on this very day Gayle became the first batsman to score a double hundred in the World Cup. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Full coverage)
Against Zimbabwe, in their third match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, West Indies kept tumbling records as Gayle bludgeoned his way to 215 from 147 balls, in an innings that contained 10 fours and 16 sixes. In the post match presentation ceremony, Gayle made it clear that it’s now revenge time and he would like to “settle scores” with South Africa, with whom they play their next game in Sydney on Friday. Last month, South Africa beat West Indies 4-1 in an ODI series. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Points Table)
“We have to settle scores against them, after they beat us 4-1 recently,” said Gayle in his usual jovial mood at the post-match presentation ceremony, where he was awarded the man-of-the-match.
Gayle survived a close leg before appeal in the first ball he faced and later revealed that he was praying to be not given out. He made use of the early luck and said that hard work always pays well.
“It was a fantastic day for me. From a team point of view it was a great all-round performance. When you work hard, then you start to see the results. Glad I was able to contribute and score my first ODI double century,” said Gayle, who also added 372 runs with Marlon Samuels, which is now the highest partnership in ODI cricket.
On his partnership with Samuels, Gayle added, “Losing Dwayne Smith early was a blow, so when Marlon came we tried to consolidate as wicket was a bit slow early and we tried to make the necessary adjustments. Eventually things became easier for us, and we were able to get a big total. Marlon also accelerated at the end.”
Gayle also picked up two wickets with the ball and when he was asked about his bowling. The fun-loving Jamaican replied in a style only he could, “Not worried about my bowling at all, I am too good.”
West Indies remain in the second spot in Pool B after having won two of their three matches. The table is led by defending champions India, who are yet to be beaten in the tournament.
