Lara-Gayle showdown attracts bumper crowd

MORE THAN 5,000 cricket-loving patrons from all over the island are set to descend on the Treasure Beach Sports Park to get another glimpse of the great Brian Lara and T20 master blaster, Chris Gayle, as the pair oppose each other in a T20 legends showdown set for 1 p.m. today.

Lara arrived on the island from Miami late Saturday, and according to event organiser Daren Powell, the batting maestro is eager to show Jamaican fans that he still has not lost his touch.

“The whole thing came about after a casual conversation in India between myself, Brian and Krishmar Santokie. I simply asked Brian if he could come to Jamaica and play a cricket match and he just said ‘yes’. We wanted to play the game in December but Brian said that was too soon and so we are here now at this point,” said Powell.

Powell said people didn’t believe he could have got Lara to come to Jamaica but not only did he get the ‘big man’, he was able to convince Chris Gayle to join in on the fun, which has made for a mouth-watering contest down in Treasure Beach.

“When I told persons, I was bringing down Brian Lara to play they thought I was delusional, but now that they are convinced, tickets are flying off the shelf and we expect a bumper crowd to witness two of the greatest West Indian cricketers.”

Despite all efforts, a number of former West Indies players who were down to take part in the legends game will not do so, namely Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Smith, Devendra Bishoo and Kirk Edwards.

Powell, however, made it known that quite a few familiar faces will still be on hand to showcase their talent.

“We had some problems with some of the players having flight issues and they had to turn back, but we have some big names who will be on show like Wavell Hinds, Andrew Richardson, Nikita Miller, Dave Mohammed, Howard Powell and Dixeith Palmer, to name a few.”

The Resi Legends cricket game will be preceded by a T20 encounter between a St Elizabeth All-Star team against a Manchester All-Star team.