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Chris Gayle makes Cricket World Cup history with first ever double century

West Indies opener Chris Gayle etched his name into the record books on Tuesday as he hit the first double century in Cricket World Cup history.

The 35-year-old was at his belligerent best as he scored an incredible 215 off just 147 balls in his side's Pool B match against Zimbabwe at Canberra.

Gayle was eventually out in the final ball of the innings but not before he and team-mate Marlon Samuels (133 not out) had put on a record ODI partnership with the West Indies finishing on 372-2. Opener Dwayne Smith faced just two balls for no runs.

A DAY OF RECORDS:

- Chris Gayle scores the first World Cup double hundred - scoring the second hundred in just 34 balls.

- Gayle also becomes the first non-Indian to hit an ODI double century.

- Gayle's 16 sixes equals the ODI record held by Rohit Sharma (India) and AB de Villiers (South Africa), and shatters the previous World Cup record of nine.

- Gayle and Samuels have broken the highest ODI partnership record for any wicket (372).

 

- Gayle also scored more runs in this innings than in his last 12 combined (199).

Afterwards, Record breaking Gayle admitted he had felt under pressure to put on a display after his recent struggles

"Overall, it was a struggle at the start and I had a scare on the first ball. I needed a break and I made best use of it," said Gayle.

"I thanked God when I got to 100, there's been a lot of pressure, the runs haven't been coming, for the first time in my career so many people wanted me to perform so badly so I'm glad I gave them something to finally cheer about."

He added:  "It was slow at the start, but you have to take the bull by its horns and try to put some pressure on them. Eventually the field spread and I targeted which balls to attack.

"When I got past one hundred, I knew I wanted it to be a double hundred, so I'm glad I got the chance to deliver it."

"I've got to push myself to get the preparation right - I've been restricted by injuries and age is catching up with me. Let's finish this off and move ahead."