Chris Gayle might have grabbed the headlines with a typically explosive 91-ball 123 in Windies’ Group A match in Harare, but it was an even bigger day for No.3 batsman Shimron Hetmyer.

The 21-year-old Guyanan struck his maiden ODI century in just his third match as the Windies offered UAE no respite in the field, racking up a monstrous 357 from their 50 overs.

Hetmyer put on 103 with Gayle at a run-rate just over nine an over, and the young left-hander continued to power the innings long after his experienced partner was dismissed, hitting 14 fours and four sixes on his way to an impressive 128-ball 127. He was only out in the 48th over with the score on 333.

There was no relaxing to be done in the field, however, as Hetmyer was called upon to take over wicket-keeping duties following a knee injury to Shai Hope, who was forced to retire hurt with the bat and then withdraw from the field an over into the fielding effort.

UAE made a good fist of things, Rameez Shahzad finishing not out on 112 to help them to a more than respectable 297/6 from their 50. But maiden centurion Hetmyer’s heroics – and the brilliance of Gayle – had put the game beyond their reach.