Lara, Gayle set for mega T20 clash in St Elizabeth
Published:Thursday | December 29, 2022 | 12:48 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
FORMER WEST Indies captains Chris Gayle and Brian Lara are set to lock horns on January 15, 2023, at Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, in a T20 all-star battle set to bowl off at 1:00 p.m.
The event, which is the brainchild of former West Indies seamer and St Elizabeth native Daren Powell, founder of RESI Cricket Legends, believes that the event is already gathering momentum and is expected to be a massive cricketing experience.
“This is a way of revamping and re-energising the parish in one unique bundle. I have been missing in action for a few years, and there is no greater way to come back and re-energise cricket than with something like this with the likes of Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, and others,” said Powell.
The former West Indies and Jamaica fast bowler, Powell, found the sweet spot of availability for Lara and Gayle, combining that with the tourist season.
“I’m looking for everybody, not necessarily cricket fans, but also people who have interest in other business. The parish is growing, and we have beautiful playgrounds that can be turned into stadiums. Everyone might be wondering why I chose January to host a match like this. There are two factors.
“The cricketers are not available unless it’s January. That month is the window of opportunity for all cricketers, and secondly, it’s the height of the tourist winter season. So we have everything to make this product a viable one,” said Powell.
The Treasure Beach Park is expected to be blessed with a plethora of local and international stars, including Jerome Taylor, Nehemiah Perry, Nikita Miller, Wavell Hinds, and Robert Haynes from Jamaica and international players in Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Daren Ganga, Dwayne Smith, and Dave Mohammed.
Having retired from international cricket back in 2009, Powell cites the importance of keeping friendships with the players he went to battle with and the joy they have expressed in featuring in a game such as this.
“Everybody is excited to come and give of their support in this. They’re doing it to show unity, strength, and love in the cricket fraternity. West Indies cricketers have gone in different directions, and the former players want to show that they want to play a role in bringing back West Indies cricket to where it belongs.”