Charlie gained fame for the sheen he managed on first-day pitches, almost producing a mirror finish. He takes me for a walk around Sabina Park. He shows the dressing-room where Bishan Bedi waved his white flag in 1976, declaring to avoid the risk of hostile fast bowling; points out where ML Jaisimha usually fielded ("He got style, great style"); marks out Michael Holding's run-up; takes me to the mound area, imitates the kind of jigs they usually perform, and continues talking.
Charlie is possessive of his pitches, and sometimes gives the impression that the result of the game is all in his hands. "I won Jamaica the Shell Shield [by preparing a pitch suitable for the home side] in the early 1980s. I have a great record for West Indies." When asked if it will rain tomorrow, he laughs and says, "All your fault maan. You brought the rain with ya. I will punish you by telling more stories."

