CRICKET- Johnson Charles smashes the fastest century, reaches three figures in 39 balls against South Africa
Saint Lucian International cricketer Johnson Charles smashed the fastest century by a West Indian in an international T20, reaching three figures in 39 balls as he set the tone for his team to post a massive 258/5 in the second KFC T20 against the Proteas at SuperSport Park, Centurion, the highest T20 total reached by the Windies against South Africa and the highest T20 total at the ground. This is also the highest ever total by the Windies in a T20 match.
Charles’ effort, his highest T20 international score, easily beat the previous fastest T20 century by a West Indian, Chris Gayle’s 47 balls, as he scored a magnificent 118 from 46 balls (10×4, 11 x6), posting 135 for the second wicket with Kyle Mayers (51) as the visitors took the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground having been asked to bat first.
Brandon King’s early departure for a single, caught low down at slip by Reeza Hendricks off Wayne Parnell in the opening over, gave the Proteas some hope but, as the West Indian innings went on, it was a matter of hoping the ball would not go over the boundary.
A healthy 62/1 was reached in the powerplay (six overs), and the hundred came in 8.2 overs. At the halfway mark, Myers and Charles had raced to 137/1, the best ever West Indian total after 10 overs in a T20 international, Marco Jansen going for 20 runs in his first over and Sisanda Magala 21.
Aiden Markram and his men looked bleak in the field as whatever bowling option tried, was easily dealt with. Jansen finally provided the breakthrough in his second over when he took the wickets of Mayers and Nicholas Pooran (2) to have the scoreboard at 139/3.
The moment was short-lived as the remaining batsmen kept the scoreboard rolling along at more than 12 runs to the over. Skipper Rovman Powell added 28 from 19 balls and toward the end, Romario Shepherd bludgeoned an undefeated 41 from 18 balls as the Windies powered 68 runs in the final five overs.
Six bowlers were used by the Proteas and they all suffered. Jansen’s 3/52 in his four overs was the best effort, with further success coming to Parnell (2/43) in four overs. Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Magala and Markram went wicketless and all at over nine or more to the over.
The Proteas will have to score at 12.90 to the over to chase down the biggest total they have been set in a T20 international to prevent the Windies winning the three-match series 2-0 with a game to play.
Lineups
South Africa: Quinton De Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (capt.), David Miller, Heinrich Klaassen, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (capt.), Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein.
