by Justin Goulding, BBC Sport

Chris Gayle hit the first double century in World Cup history as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The left-hander smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours, in West Indies’ 372-2 in Canberra.

He added an ODI record 372 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a relatively sedate 133 not out.

Chasing a rain-revised target of 363 off 48 overs, Zimbabwe fell short as Gayle took two wickets and a catch.

Having lost their opening game to Ireland, West Indies’ win took them level on points with India at the top of Pool B, before their meeting with South Africa on Friday.

Although Zimbabwe’s bowlers suffered heavily at the hands of Gayle, their batsmen deserve credit for a respectable run chase that featured Sean Williams’s 76 and 52 for Craig Ervine.

Jerome Taylor claimed 3-38 and West Indies captain Jason Holder 3-48, but their figures were footnotes in a game that will be remembered for Gayle’s savage hitting.

Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels added 372 during a partnership spanning all but two balls of the innings

Tinashe Panyangara conceded 22 off his final over as he recoded figures of 9-0-82-1

Sean Williams has now made eight scores over 70 without reaching 80