Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has hailed Saint Lucia’s Johnson Charles, who battered his way into cricket’s record book on Sunday.
“Congratulations Johnson Charles, on your first stunning 100 runs in T20I cricket, the fastest in West Indies T20I history. 118 runs! You have made us proud and continue to inspire young sportsmen and women. What a lovely day for cricket and the West Indies,” Pierre wrote on Facebook.
Charles achieved his record-breaking feat off 39 balls, eight fewer than Chris Gayle’s best mark against England in Mumbai in 2016.
He smashed 11 sixes to score his 118 off 46 balls, leading the West Indies to their record total of 258-5.
“The shot that brought up the hundred was special. Being able to hit a six over cover is not easy to play, but it felt really good, being that it brought up the landmark, something which I will cherish,” Charles told reporters.
Nevertheless, South Africa responded with the highest successful run chase in T20 International cricket, chalking up 259-4 off 18.5 overs to beat the West Indies.
(Story updated)
Boy oh boy oh boy mr Pierre I’ll not make this about you even if it is about you reading into your congratulatory remarks one would figure West Indies actually won the match anyways moving along here great job J Charles had the others stepped up on the field of play then the celebration would have been priceless sort of like bitter sweet moment if u asked me….. all the more best moving forward
How dare you pun Mr. PM, he did the right thing of noting his achievement, what about those who speak of others only to show up themselves
Congratulations to Johnson Charles but a picture of Kyle Mayers??? Well done St Lucia Times!
So what are we going to name after this stunning player?