Davison acknowledges his hundred (Getty Images).

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Wavell Hinds and Brian Lara were at their destructive best as the West Indies raced to a seven-wicket win over World Cup minnows Canada on Sunday.

Man of the match John Davison cracked the fastest century in tournament history as Canada briefly threatened a Pool B upset at Centurion Park but their 202 was no match for the Windies' destructive batsmen.

The win, secured with more than 29 overs to spare, ensured a vital four points for Carl Hooper's side following the disappointment of having their game with Bangladesh ruined by the rain.

Further victories over pool leaders Sri Lanka and outsiders Kenya are now likely to carry them in to the Super Six stage.

Yet it was Canada, shot out for 36 in their last outing by Sri Lanka, who made the most enterprising start.

Davison slammed a breathtaking 111 from 76 balls including eight fours and six sixes. His ton, which came from 67 deliveries, was a new tournament record but his side collapsed after his dismissal, losing their last seven wickets for 46 runs.

The target proved no match for the West Indies as Hinds and Lara set about the task with relish. Hinds hit a whirlwind 64 from 54 balls with Lara smashing 73 from 60. Ramnaresh Sarwan then continued the onslaught with an unbeaten 42 from 36 deliveries.

Davison, who plays first-class cricket for South Australia, first lit the blue touchpaper with an exhilarating innings that saw him score all around the wicket.

The 32-year-old delighted the 10,000 crowd as he reached his half century in only 30 balls and then raced on to three figures.

He propelled his team to 155 for two in the 22nd over but their batting fell apart after he was superbly caught Vasbert Drakes with one hand on the boundary.

Paceman Drakes then took up the attack, tearing through the middle order to grab five for 44 from 9.5 overs.

Drakes had both Nicholas Ifill and Ian Billcliff caught behind by Ridley Jacobs and then had Canada skipper Joseph Harris well taken by his opposite number Hooper at first slip.

Drakes then rounded off a tremendous bowling performance by claiming the wickets of Austin Codrington and Barry Seebaran in successive balls.

Codrington went when he edged to Jacobs and Seebaran quickly followed when he was trapped leg before. The brilliance of Hinds and Ricardo Powell in the field then took the total number of wickets in the over to four as they ran out Ashish Bagai and Nicholas de Groot to wrap up the innings.

In reply, the West Indies raced to 45 for one off six overs at lunch and proceeded to humiliate the Canadians thereafter.

Opener Chris Gayle was given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Bagai for eight just before the break but Hinds and Lara soon took over.

The pair shared in a century partnership of 102 before Hinds was well stumped by Bagai off the bowling of Davison.

As if Hinds' effort was not good enough, Lara rushed to his fifty in only 23 balls with six fours and four sixes before he was clean bowled by De Groot.

By the time Lara had departed, the result was a mere formality and Sarwan underlined his class by efficiently wrapping up victory.