Charles hammered three boundaries and five sixes during his unbeaten knock of 69

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St Lucia Zouks opener Johnson Charles smashed an unbeaten 69 to help his side cruise past the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by seven wickets.

Charles was well supported by opening partner Andre Fletcher, who hammered 48.

However, Patriots captain Marlon Samuels deserves some credit for scoring an unbeaten 52.

Samuels would have been regretting his decision to bat first as Evin Lewis, Martin Guptill, Orlando Peters and Shane Dowrich were all dismissed in quick succession.

With the Patriot struggling at 19/4, Samuels and Devon Thomas steered their side back in the right direction with a 78-run partnership before Thomas was dismissed for 34.

Samuels ended up scoring 52 off 37 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes, as the Patriots finished on 149/6 off their 50 overs.

Samuels made a gutsy 52

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Shannon Gabriel was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Fidel Edwards snapped up two and skipper Darren Sammy chipped in with one.

Gabriel finished with figures of 3-19 off four overs

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Chasing 150 to win, the Zouks got off to a superb start as Charles and Fletcher amassed an 81-run partnership before Fletcher was caught behind off the bowling of Nikhil Dutta for 48.

Despite losing Kyle Mayers and Kevin Pietersen as well, the Zouks still managed to reach their target with 26 balls to spare.

Charles went on to score 69 off 44 balls, which included three boundaries and five sixes.

Dutta was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Tabraiz Shamsi claimed one.

Gabriel edged out Charles for the Man of the Match award.