Johnson Charles smashes fastest West Indies men's T20I hundred

Deandra Dottin still holds the record for the fastest century by a West Indies batter in T20Is, but Charles surpassed Chris Gayle's highest T20I score as his side smashed 258 for 5 against South Africa

Johnson Charles smashed the fastest men's T20I century for West Indies, reaching three figures off just 39 balls against South Africa.

Charles, who came to the crease at No.3 after Brandon King fell in the opening over, was dismissed in the 14th over for 118 off 46 balls, having smashed 11 sixes and 10 fours.

West Indies reached 258 for 5 from their 20 overs, briefly the sixth-highest T20I total in men's T20Is, with Kyle Mayers – 51 off 27 balls – and Romario Shepherd – 41 not out off 18 balls – also contributing to the carnage at Centurion. Only, South Africa then remarkably chased that total with seven balls remaining.

Charles, whose previous highest T20I score of 84 came against England in 2012, moved past Chris Gayle's highest T20I score – 117 also against South Africa, though in 2007 – in the process.

^{Johnson Charles smashed 11 sixes in his 46-ball knock (Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)}

It was the sixth men's T20I hundred scored by a West Indies batter, with Gayle and Evin Lewis responsible for two each and Rovman Powell's effort against England last January previously the most recent.

The highest T20I score by a West Indies batter, though, still belongs to Deandra Dottin, who reached three figures against South Africa during the 2010 World T20 off just 38 deliveries after remarkably only coming to the middle in the tenth over with her team 52 for 4. She ended unbeaten on 112 off 45 balls.

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