Johnson Charles, on Sunday (March 26), entered the record books after smashing a whirlwind century against South Africa in the second T20I at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
The century, however, could not power West Indies to a win as South Africa beat them by 6 wickets in a high-scoring encounter. The Proteas chased down a record 259 to draw level in the three-match series. Opener Quinton de Kock smashed a fine century while Reeza Hendricks scored a fifty to help South Africa chase down the improbable total with more than an over remaining.
De Kock and Hendricks came out all guns blazing as they racked up century stand inside the powerplay. By the time, Raymon Reifer dismissed de Kock for 100 to break the stand, South Africa had raced away to 152 in just the 11th over. The win looked like a mere formality at that stage. The hosts did lose few wickets in the middle overs but skipper Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen shared an unbeaten 43-run stand to take their team home comfortably.
Earlier in the game, a stunning knock of 118 from Johnson Charles propelled West Indies to a mammoth total of 258 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs. After Brandon King departed for just 1, Kyle Mayers (51) and Charles shared a 135-run stand for the second wicket to lay the foundation for the huge total.
Towards the end, skipper Rovman Powell ( 28 off 19) and Romario Shepherd (41* off 18) played fine cameos to help their team cross the 250-run mark.
Johnson Charles creates record:
While Johnson Charles’ knock could not help West Indies win the game and clinch the series, it has helped him enter the record books. The right-handed batsman now has the record of fastest T20I century by a West Indies player. The record was previously held by Chris Gayle.
Gayle held the record after scoring his century off 47 balls against England in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Seven years after that memorable knock, Charles broke the record after reaching his century off just 39 balls against the Proteas.
The record for the fastest T20I hundred is being jointly held by India’s Rohit Sharma, South Africa’s David Miller and Czech Republic’s Sudesh Wickramasekara. Charles’ 118 runs came off 46 balls with the help of 10 fours and as many as 11 sixes.