Stats: These records tumbled as Chris Gayle enthralled Canberra

It was a procession of fours and sixes at Canberra as Chris Gayle smashed a double hundred and Marlon Samuels chipped in with a century as West Indies amassed 372 for 2 in their group game against West Indies. Gayle was eventually dismissed for 215 off 147 balls. During the course of his knock, and his massive partnership with Samuels, Gayle broke many records, and literally rewrote the history books. Here are some of the records that tumbled on an unforgettable day at Canberra.

Chris Gayle's 215 is now the highest score in World Cup cricket, making him the first cricketer to score a double hundred in the World Cup. The previous record for the highest individual score in a World Cup was held by Gary Kirsten, who made 188 not out against the UAE at Rawalpindi back in 1996.

This was the first occasion in ODI history that a non-Indian has scored a double hundred. There have been four double hundreds in one-dayers before this, and all have been scored by Indians. Two by Rohit Sharma and one each by Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

Gayle now also holds the record for the third highest individual score in an ODI innings. Only Rohit Sharma with 264 and Virender Sehwag with 219 are above him in the list.

Gayle now also holds the record for the fastest ever double century in one-day cricket. His 200 against Zimbabwe came off 138 balls, bettering Virender Sehwag's effort of 200 in 140 balls.

The 372-run partnership he shared with Samuels in the match is now an all-time ODI record for any wicket. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar had added 331 against New Zealand at Hyderabad way back in 1999.

Interestingly, the earlier record for the best partnership in the World Cup was also held by two Indians -- Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, who added 318 against Sri Lanka at Taunton in the 1999 edition.

During the course of his stupendous knock, Gayle also crossed the 9,000-run mark in one-dayers.

Gayle smashed as many as 16 sixes during his stay at the crease. This equalled the record for most sixes in an ODI innings, held jointly by Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers.

The partnership between Gayle and Samuels was unique in that the number of runs they scored were equal to their eventual total of 372. This is because they lost a wicket off the first and last ball of the innings.

--By A Cricket Analyst