A record-breaking 215 from Chris Gayle has guided the West Indies to a 73-run win over Zimbabwe in Pool B of the Cricket World Cup in Canberra.

Gayle became the first player to hit a double-century at a World Cup and also set a new record for the highest individual score, surpassing the previous record of 189.

The Windies looked to be in trouble at the start of their innings when Dwayne Smith was dismissed for a duck, but Gayle and Marlon Samuels (133 not out) stepped up to steer their team to a score of 372-2 before Zimbabwe were bowled out for 289 as they chased a revised target of 363 from 48 overs.

Gayle's time at the crease saw him hit 10 fours and 14 sixes, while Samuels hit 11 fours and three sixes on his way to making an unbeaten century.

While the West Indies dominated with the bat, Zimbabwe struggled to make up the runs when it was their turn out in the middle. Sean Williams (76), Craig Ervine (52) and Brendan Taylor (37) put up some resistance, but the regular fall of wickets hampered their ambitions.

Gayle also proved to be adept with the ball as he ended with figures of 2-35, while Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder did most of the damage with three wickets apiece.