His first T20I came against England in September 2011, and he became just the second cricketer from the island of St Lucia to play for the West Indies (the first was Darren Sammy, who was captain in Charles' international debut).

[1] Johnson was included in the West Indies' 15-man squad for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 held in September and October that year, where the team won the tournament.

However, he made his first-class debut in January that year and played eight matches for the Windward Islands in the Regional Four Day Competition.

In 16 visits to the crease he accumulated 292 runs, including a single half-century, putting him seventh in the team's list of leading run-scorers in that year's competition.

[4] Charles did not represent the Windward Islands in the 2009/10 Regional Four Day Competition, but in 2010 he returned to the List A side for the West Indies Board Cup, and played his first twenty20 match for the team.

After building a century partnership with Gayle, Charles (who was described by ESPNCricinfo as having "little obvious pedigree as an opening batsman") went on to score 84 to help his team to victory against England.