Charles backs impact despite international absence

HOBART, Australia (CMC):

Veteran opener Johnson Charles believes he has matured like “fine wine” despite a six-year absence from international cricket.

The dashing 33-year-old right-hander won the 2016 T20 World Cup with West Indies but then fell off the selectors’ radar until he was recalled for this year’s edition Down Under.

And he played a key role on Wednesday in helping to inch West Indies closer to qualification for the Super12s with a top score of 45, as they beat Zimbabwe by 31 runs at Bellerive Oval here in a must-win contest.

“Definitely my role would be to bat as deep as possible and just to bring the experience,” Charles told media here.

“I’ve played from 2012 – this being my fourth World Cup – and I think it’s all about bringing the experience from all these World Cups into this one and batting through the innings and guiding the younger players.

“It’s been good going because, as you age, you begin to get like fine wine. As you age, you know what to do, you come with that experience and you know how to guide the youngsters and push them in the right direction.”

His form has been mixed since his return, notching scores of three, 29 and one before finding his touch against Zimbabwe. However, he was in excellent form in the Caribbean Premier League which wrapped up last month, scoring 345 runs at an average of 43.

Charles has scored one of his four T20 International fifties in Brisbane and one of his two One-Day International hundreds in Melbourne, and said he enjoyed playing on the Australian pitches.

“I think it (Australian conditions) definitely suits my style of batting, seeing that I love to play square of the wickets and I love to play the length balls,” Charles explained.

STYLE OF PLAY

“And seeing that Australia is a place where you get pitches where you get plenty bounce, I think it plays right into my style of play.”

West Indies face Ireland in another must-win match on Friday, in order to finish in the top two in Group B of the qualifiers and qualify for the Super 12s.

And Charles believes key to West Indies fortunes will be their “world class” bowling attack.

“I think we have a world-class attack. It’s just our batting that we have to work on,” he said.

“Our bowling attack has been coming around for us. Our bowlers, both in the opening power play and at the death, have been doing very well for us.

“I think that, once we qualify, we’ll be troubling any team.”