SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC- Power hitter Johnson Charles has described the West Indies as an improving side with less than a week before the start of the International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup in India.
Charles played a brilliant match-winning knock as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to win their two-match T20 Series 2-0 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday night.
The powerful opener smashed 92 not out off of just 48 balls with six big sixes and 10 fours to be named Man-of-the-Match.
“Tonight I had a good batting pitch. The ball was coming on nice. Not much sideways movement. I just decided to stick to what I know. I am a power hitter so I did just that,” Charles explained.
“We have moved from strength to strength. From the first game we have been improving in this game we have improved a lot more. We just look to improve as the games go by and hopefully we can go into the world cup with everybody in form and we could win this World Cup.”
Windies motored to a victory target of 154 without loss after the Zimbaweans made 153-7 off 20 overs.
The best bowler was seamer Carlos Brathwaite with 3-23, which helped to restrict the innings after a solid start.
Charles’ opening partner Andre Fletcher made 56 not out off 35 balls with three sixes and five fours, on a good batting surface.
“We are best friends and we come from the same team,” said Charles.
“We always speak to each other at the wicket and keep complimenting each other. We just motivated each other to do the best that we can.”
The St. Lucian cricketer was a member of the West Indies Cricket team which captured the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka four years ago.
Charles was not named on the original squad but was called up as a replacement for Darren Bravo who pulled out citing the need to focus on developing his game in the longer format.
“I just see it as me coming back for my place and that’s just how I see it,” said Charles.
“With that said everything is left to the almighty father and that is what he saw as fit and that’s what happens. So I am just going to do what I have to do now that I am here”.
West Indies headed to Kolkata Monday for official warm-up matches with India and Australia before the March 8 to April 3 tournament.
