Charles not bothered by near-decade-long wait for third ODI hundred

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

JOHNSON CHARLES said his thoughts were already on a third One-Day International hundred after scoring a Man-of-the-Match half-century on Tuesday in his second match since his return from a seven-year spell on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old right-hander struck a robust 63 from 47 balls with eight fours and three sixes, helping West Indies to 306 all out in the final over of the second ODI against United Arab Emirates.

West Indies completed an easy 78-run win after restricting the hosts to 228 for seven from their 50 overs.

“Today, I just lapsed a little bit, and that cost me my wicket, but it’s going to come,” Charles said about targeting his third ODI hundred.

“I just have to keep doing the basics and prolonging, and I think it (hundred) will come.”

He continued: “I’ve been just working on the basics and trying to get them right all the time – if not all the time – and that’s been working for me, along with the positive mindset.”

Charles’ maiden ODI 100 came against Australia in Melbourne nine years ago, his second coming nearly two weeks later against Zimbabwe in the Caribbean.

He lost his place in both white-ball formats in 2016 and never resurfaced until gaining a recall to the T20 side last October for the ill-fated campaign in the T20 World Cup Down Under.

However, he has averaged 35 in the format since his return – including a magnificent 118 against South Africa at Centurion last March – and his recall to the ODI unit has marked a complete turnaround in the player’s career.

“I, basically, just had to work on the basics. It’s not much but just keeping my balance, trying not to overhit the ball and having a strong base,” Johnson said, explaining his recent form.

“[It’s about trying to] hit the ball where it wants to be hit and, basically, that’s what I’ve been working on, and it’s been working for me.”

West Indies lead the three-match series 2-0 following their seven-wicket win in last Sunday’s opener and face UAE in the final game today.