SA vs WI: Johnson Charles Smashes Stupendous 39-Ball Ton To Break Chris Gayle’s Record And Register Fastest Ton For West Indies In T20Is

The 34-year-old West Indies National Cricket Team batter Johnson Charles played an absolutely stupendous knock in the second T20I of the three-match series against the Aiden Markram-led South Africa National Cricket Team at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday, March 26.

South Africa National Cricket Team won the toss and elected to field first in the match. Initially, it looked like the decision made by skipper Aiden Markram was a good one as Wayne Parnell cleaned up Brandon King for 1 on the third ball of the first over itself.

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However, things changed way too quickly as Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers started the annihilation of the Proteas bowling unit. The duo showed sensational power-hitting and smashed the bowlers all over the park.

They added outstanding 135 runs in 58 balls, before Kyle Mayers, who smashed a 114-metre six in the innings, was dismissed by Marco Jansen in the 11th over. The partnership between Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers was the third-highest for West Indies in men’s T20Is.

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After the dismissal of Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles kept batting aggressively and he smashed Sisanda Magala for a maximum on the 4th ball of the 13th over to complete his ton in 39 balls.

Johnson Charles broke the record of the legendary batter Chris Gayle for the fastest century by a West Indies batter in T20Is. Notably, Chris Gayle smashed a ton in 49 balls against England in 2016.

He also equalled Romania’s Sivakumar Periyalwar and Hungary’s Zeeshan Kukikhel’s records with his 39-ball ton. Overall the record for the fastest ton in T20Is is jointly held by David Miller and Rohit Sharma (35 balls).

Johnson Charles was removed by Marco Jansen in the 14th over. Overall, he smashed 118 runs off 46 balls, including 10 fours and 11 maximums. His 118 became the second-best individual score by a West Indies batter in T20Is, behind Evin Lewis’ 125* (62) and his 11 sixes became the joint-second highest by a West Indies batter in T20Is.

I was sticking to my basics and it came out – Johnson Charles

Speaking to the host broadcaster after his fantastic innings, Johnson Charles said that the pitch was a belter one. Johnson Charles added that he played his natural game and stuck to basics.

“The pitch was a belter. I was sticking to my basics and it came out. When we played yesterday, it was unfortunate the way I got out. I kept my shape today and backed myself and it came out. 

“One thing I am working on is sticking to my basics. Today I felt like, with the start I got, I wanted to go long and I got to it. Bowlers didn’t have much of a choice, whether it’s off-side or on the on-side. It’s a good score. We need to stick to our bowling strengths and back ourselves.”

Meanwhile, other West Indies batters also made significant contributions and they posted 258/5 on the board. This was their highest T20I total.

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