Johnson Charles, a right-hand top-order batsman, elbowed his way into the West Indies ODI team in 2012 with a string of startling displays for the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament. Strongly built, with the power to muscle the ball down the ground and also swat it forcefully square of the wicket, Charles acquitted himself ably in his first few international displays against Australia, including a firm 45 in the tied third ODI in St Vincent. He had previously been part of the West Indies Twenty20 squad that faced England in September 2011. He made a mark in the 2012 World T20, where his 84 against England, incredibly, was his highest score in any first-class, List A or T20 game. He bettered that a few months later in Australia where he scored his first ODI century. With a reputation of being a 'blaster', Charles made an effort to tone down his batting and focus on building an innings. He is trying to establish himself as Chris Gayle's regular opening partner in limited-overs cricket.
Daniel Brettig