DHAKA: It’s been a phenomenal day of record breaking. West Indies lost Dwayne Smith to the second ball of their innings - but after Chris Gayle had narrowly avoided being given out lbw to the first ball he faced, he and Marlon Samuels set about rebuilding the innings.

Chris Gayle hit 215 - the first World Cup double century - with a record-equalling 16 sixes, while his stand of 372 with Samuels was a record ODI partnership for any wicket.

Before being bowled out by Caribbean, Zimbabwe scored 289 for all wickets in 44.3 over in D/L method in Canberra.

West Indies captain Jason Holder said, “It was important that one of the two individuals batting stayed in until at least the 45th over so we can score more than 300.

We’re gaining momentum which is important, but having four fielders outside the circle in this format is difficult, so we've got to work on it.

Chris is an outstanding player, it's great to have him back in form and hopefully he can carry it through the tournament.”

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said, “It’s been our weakness in the three games so far. There is a lot of work to be done. We were unlucky with the Gayle lbw but he played a massive innings today and it made a big difference.

Gayle is the kind of player who is destructive but we just have to forget about what happened today.

"We are not executing our skills, especially at the death. Hopefully our bowling will come into play in the next game.”

** WI set Zim 373-run target

BDST: 1811 HRS, FEB 24, 2015