What will Panyangara do next?

Early wickets are a cause for celebration and Tinashe Panyangara has some of the best in the game. Against South Africa, Panyangara had gotten down on his tummy and pretended to have a swim, but with so much rain in the air he decided not to risk that this time. Instead, after he bowled Dwayne Smith with a with a delivery that nipped in and burst through the gate, he seemed keen to tango when he took a few steps into open space and began to dance, with most of the movement coming from the hips. World Cup watches are going to start wishing Panyangara at least a wicket a match to see what he comes up with next.

Chris Gayle struck 16 in his innings, a record-equaling number, but the six he hit off Sean Williams in the second ball of the 44th over was a signature in suave. Gayle rocked back to meet the short-of-a-length ball and send it into the stands where a group of people were dressed as witches. They would have wondered what magic wand the Jamaican was wielding.

Almost everything seemed to go wrong for Zimbabwe in the last 10 overs as they lost their lines, lengths and even their strike bowler. Tendai Chatara was shown the proverbial red card in the final over when he was pulled out of the attack for delivering two waist-high full tosses. Although Hamilton Masakadza only had to deliver two balls to complete the innings, and it made little difference to the eventual outcome, it was yet another example of Zimbabwe lacking control when they needed it most.

Technology worked against Zimbabwe when Gayle was given not out in the first over and replays showed the umpire's call would have stood - so if he had been given out, he would have had to go - but it conspired against them later on too. Marlon Samuels appealed for a caught behind off Brendan Taylor, which had both the umpire and the batsman unmoved. Even the review seemed in vain when replays showed the ball had brushed the forearm on the way through to the keeper. But the on-field decision was overturned and Taylor given out, to the shock of everyone except West Indies.

As if scoring 215 was not enough, Gayle returned to prise out one of the most dangerous looking Zimbabwe batsman. Although a successful chase seemed unlikely, Craig Ervine was going well on 52 when Gayle had him playing all around a ball which turned in sharply and took out off stump. The Jamaican brought out his Madiba-dance, the slow-motion on-the-spot jog, in celebration.

After contributing with bat and ball, Gayle put in the complete showing with a catch as well. Elton Chigumbura gifted him a chance when he chipped a Jerome Taylor delivery straight to Gayle at extra cover. Gayle did not even have to move, only to stand and collect, but he wanted to make a bit of a show. After safely pouching the ball, he tumbled over and rolled on the floor dramatically, pretending it had been a lot more difficult than it looked. The acting thrilled the crowd, who did the opposite of Gayle by getting to their feet and applauding the man who set Manuka alight again.