Gayle took three wickets in his first three overs

Chris Gayle starred as West Indies sealed the series against Zimbabwe with an eight-wicket win.

Gayle took 4-24 to bowl the home side out for 196 and then hit a blistering century to lead West Indies home with 24 overs to spare.

The off-spinner claimed three wickets in two overs as Zimbabwe stumbled from a position of strength at 107-2.

And he then smashed 112 from 75 balls, sharing a 137-run partnership with Brian Lara.

The West Indies captain contributed 41 before upping the tempo with victory in sight and giving his wicket away.

We came here expecting to win and they put up a good fight, and almost turned the tables in both series Brian Lara More reaction

Dropped by wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu on 14, Gayle took 69 balls over the ninth-fastest century in one-day international history and smashed 17 fours and two sixes in all.

Zimbabwe have not won a one-day series against a major nation since their 2-1 victory in New Zealand three years ago.

After chosing to bat first their chances looked good despite the loss of two early wickets.

Mark Vermeulen led the way with 36 while stand-in opener Barney Rogers hit a confident 34.

Gayle's arrival brought immediate results, though, as Craig Wishart got a thick edge behind off a square cut for 16, ending the only half-century partnership of the innings.

Gayle's in decent nick - far better than he was during the World Cup in SA From Angry of Hammersmith Have your say on TMS

Debutant Alester Maregwede drove his fifth delivery straight to midwicket and Vermeulen fell in similar fashion.

Taibu and captain Heath Streak occupied 11 overs for the sixth wicket.

But they could only add 30 before the wicket-keeper gave away his wicket to spinner Ricardo Powell while looking for a big shot.

Fidel Edwards gained two late wickets, including Streak for 30, as Zimbabwe were bowled out with two overs to spare.

Zimbabwe: V Sibanda, B G Rogers, M A Vermeulen, C B Wishart A Maregwede, S M Ervine, T Taibu (Wkt), H H Streak (Capt) A M Blignaut, G B Brent, R W Price.