( CNN ) West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has scored the first double hundred in Cricket World Cup history . The big hitter reached his double century off just 138 balls in a Pool B match as the West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 77 runs in Canberra , Australia . Gayle 's knock of 215 off 147 balls beats the previous best by South Africa 's Gary Kirsten , who scored 188 not out against the United Arab Emirates at the 1996 World Cup . The 35-year-old left-hander -- the only batsman to hit a century in Twenty20 Internationals -- blasted 16 sixes and 10 fours during his innings as the Windies finished on 372 for two off 50 overs . `` It was slow at the start , but you have to take the bull by its horns and try to put some pressure on them , '' Gayle said , BBC Sport reported . `` 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 . '' The Jamaican made a shaky start surviving a close LBW decision off the first ball of the match before eventually losing his wicket to the final ball of the innings . `` With the innings , I struggled at the start and it was scary the first ball . I was like 'come on you 're not serious , I ca n't be out on this first ball ' . I needed a chance and got a break and made the best use of it . '' West Indies , two-time winners of the Cricket World Cup , recorded a shock loss against minnows Ireland in their first group game but bounced back with a win against 1992 champions Pakistan in their second pool match .
West Indies ' Chris Gayle broke cricket World Cup records by hitting a double century in a match against Zimbabwe . Well known for his powerful batting , it took Gale 138 balls to reach the historic 200 mark . He was almost out on the first ball after an LBW appeal from Zimbabwe .