Pool B: West Indies Vs Zimbabwe played at Manuka Oval West Indies 372 /2 (Chris Gayle 215, M Samuels 133) beat Zimabawe 289 all out (SC Williams 76,CR Ervine 52, JE Taylor 3/38 , JE Holder 3/ 43).
The inevitable Gayle storm unfortunately caught Zimabaweans. His bullets and Samauels shells presented Mount Everest for Zimabawe to climb in blizzard. They went down fighting. Gayle and Samuels fired West Indies back to contention as they won the second match in succession beating Zimbabwe by 73 runs in a rain shortened match on D/L count. West Indies scored 372/2 and Zimabawe replied with 289 all out. Many teams would have given up after severe punishments meted out in the shape of leather chasing. But they batted brilliantly as well. Scoring 289 runs and failing to reach the peak beyond 372 must also be acknowledged a brave effort.
It was a records smashing marathon 372 runs second wicket partnership and it was an unbelievable first double century achievement in world cup (fifth in all ODIs). Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Shewag, Rohit Sharma (twice) did it before. World cricket could miss such an unforgettable experience of explosive batting had Gayle been given out LBW (a marginal case) before he could even open his account. But history will not remember that. Records will tell Gayle smashing 10 fours and 16 sixes in his 147 minutes. Believe it or not there were 59 dot balls also in the innings. Most of his strokes were launched down the ground or clubbed and pulled on the leg side. Only a few were driven through covers and smashed through off side.
West Indies after getting shocked by Ireland in the first match bounced back brilliantly against pathetic Pakistan in their second match. The colorful team is favorites of many are no longer considered as formidable as the teams of their golden generation. Moreover, losing Bravo, Pollard and Sunil Narine were also big blows for them. But two huge wins have brilliantly brought them back on rail. They are almost three in the quarter finals though they are yet to play South Africa and India where they appear to be putting up strong contests.
West Indies winning the toss ran into immediate trouble losing opener Smith on the very second ball before them opened their account. Their situation could be miserable if a strong appeal for LBW against Gayle was upheld. It looked pretty adjacent. But after that what happened is a fairy tale. Gayle and Samuels were spectators delight. 372 runs were scored in 298 + 21 = 319 (wide and no balls) deliveriesa record that may take few years to topple down. Gayle scored the fastest and the only double hundred in a world cup match. While Gayles one was brute force, muscling, Samuels innings of unbeaten 133 of 156 deliveries was more cultured. Manueka Oval of Australian capital perhaps will cherish this hurricane hitting for a long long time.
Gayle was not among runs for a while meaning that something big was coming. The Gayles storm was not announced though but not was unexpected either .After Indian star batsman Rohit Sharma scoring two ODI double hundreds in not too distant past fans were twitting to the big man for one such exhibition. The man himself told this after playing into history. We know when a Tsunami comes it sweeps away whatever comes on the way. Two top Zimbabwe pacers in 18.4 overs gave away as many as 156 runs. These states how severe were Gayle and Samuels in their run riot.
It was brave that Zimbabwe did not lose heart or give up. They also batted brilliantly. But one must not expect history created and changed on the same day. The entire team batted positively and with intent. Not like the Pakistanis which surrendered meekly the other day. Williams (72) and Ervine (52 ) were looking good. Rain interference required them scoring 362 in 48 overs. But they could reach 289 in 44.3. No mean achievement in given circumstances. Taylor Holder took 3 wickets each and the man of the day Gayle took two also.
The day will go down as a very very special day for Chris Gayle. All bowlers will receive a red signal for more coming any time from this sleeping giant.
BDST: 0832HRS, FEB 25, 2015
