West Indies emulated Indian record vs Pakistan as they extended their World Cup win record over Zimbabwe to 6-0. Although West Indies were the favorite, they were forced to thank third umpire too for two major favors. First favor helped Chris Gayle go from 0 to 215. Another favor stopped Zimbabwe from moving ahead with what could have been the second biggest chase in ODI history.
World Cup 2015: Schedules and Results
Statistics of West Indies vs Zimbabwe Match
West Indies Bats To Score Highest Total
Electing to bat first, West Indies scored their highest ever ODI total of 372/2. They started with a setback when on the second ball of the innings Panyangara bowled Dwayne Smith (0). In the same over, he had Chris Gayle plumb leg before wicket too. But the third umpire and the field umpires felt otherwise despite clear evidence. From then on it was West Indies all over.
The old horses Gayle and Samuels played contrasting cricket to create a World record partnership of 371 runs. Gayle scored the fastest double century in ODI, which is first in a World Cup match. His 147-ball 215 runs with 10 4s and world record equalling 16 6s saw West Indies reaching their third consecutive 300+ total of the tournament in as many matches.
Samuels was cautious playing as second fiddle. He scored his highest ODI score of unbeaten 133 runs in 156 balls with 11 4s and 3 6s. The partnership was broken only on the last ball of the innings when Gayle was caught by captain Chigumbura on the bowling of Masakadza trying to hit what could have been a world record 17 6s in a knock.
For Zimbabwe bowlers Sikandar Raza with 0/45 in 10 overs with a maiden was the best bowler. Rest provided glimpse of wreckage. Panyangara (1/82 in 9 overs), Chatara (0/74 in 9.4), SC Williams (0/48 in 5), Chigumbura (0/44 in 7), Kamungozi (0/37 in 3) and Masakadza (1/39 in 6.2) were the prime victims.
Zimbabwe Fall Short by 73 runs
Zimbabwe started the chase in high spirits. They lost Chakabva (2) before the rain halted the proceedings. The match was reduced to 48 overs and they needed to score 363 runs.
After rain they lost the other hero of chase in loss against South Africa, Masakadza (5) too. With the wicket of Sikandar Raza (26) they were 46/3. But the run rate was going up. From 8th over to 20.1 overs they reached the run rate of 6 runs an over with Brendon Taylor (37) and SC Williams (61-ball 76 runs) attacking the West Indies.
But, another umpiring error forced Brendon Taylor to go. There was no sign of a snick. But the third umpire and field umpire for their own reasons asked him to go.
From then on Erwine (41-ball 52), Matsikenyeri (19) and Chigumbura (21) tried. But the challenge was too high to face with umpiring decisions going agains them. Panyangara (4), Chatara (16), Kamungozi (6*) ensured that they gain respect even in loss as they were bowled out for 289 runs in 44.3 overs.
For West Indies, Captain Holder (3/48 in 7) and Jerome Taylor (3/38 in 10) were most successful. Gayle (2/35 in 6) and Samuels (1/59 in 9) grabbed wickets too. Nikita Miller (1/48 in 6.3) also got among the wickets. Russell (0/44 in 5) and Sammy (0/8 in 1) also bowled.
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