Experienced Charles smashes century

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted May 02, 2024

Johnson Charles lived up to his star billing smashing a swashbuckling century against Nepal leading West Indies ‘A’ to a mammoth 227-3 in their third of the five-match Twenty20 Series on Wednesday.

Charles, who has played 58 One Day International for the West Indies team, is among the seven big names in a strong ‘A’ side that has toured Nepal for the first time.

The right-handed batsman, with the experience of playing 48 Twenty20 Internationals and leagues across the world hammered 54-ball century, laced with 13 fours and seven sixes.

While the Windies lost the first Twenty20 despite piling up a mammoth 204, they won the second one by 10 runs although they ended up putting just 160 on board.

West Indies ‘A’ had already made 27 runs inside three overs before opener Alick Athanaze (17) was run out.

Charles and another experienced campaigner Andre Fletcher put the visitors on front foot with a huge 145-run partnership for the second wicket.

Fletcher hit a 33-ball 53 with four boundaries and three sixes. Charles was unbeaten on 119 off 61. Fabian Allen chipped in a nine-ball 19. He already has a Twenty20 International century to his name.

While all other Nepali bowlers were hammered over 10 runs an over, Gulshan Jha was economical conceding just 24 runs in four overs. Sagar Dhakal and Karan KC took a wicket each.

West Indies ‘A’ are in Nepal for a five-match Series ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the US and the Caribbean.

A majority of the current West Indies ‘A’ side are in the hunt for their spot in the West Indies side for the World Cup. Few other players from the Caribbean are playing in the Indian Premier League.

Nepal, meanwhile, have been trying out different combinations and giving chances to multiple players at home.