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Lara, Gayle set to clash in big T20 match in St Elizabeth
December 29, 2022
Former West Indies captains Chris Gayle and Brian Lara are set to lock horns on January 15 at Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, in a Twenty20 (T20) all-star battle, scheduled to bowl off at 1 p.m.
The event is the brainchild of former West Indies seamer, St Elizabeth native and founder of RESI Cricket Legends Daren Powell, who believes momentum is already gathering and expects a great 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 fast bowler believes that the mega T20 clash, which pits Lara's X1 vs Gayle's X1, was strategically selected for January that ties in with both players' availability and the winter tourist season.
"I'm looking for everybody, not necessarily cricket fans but also people who have interest in other businesses. The parish in itself is growing and we have beautiful playgrounds that can be turned into stadiums.
"Everyone might be wondering why I choose 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," Powell adds.
The Treasure Beach Park is expected to be blessed with a plethora of local and international stars which include 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. A host of other players will also be on show.
Powell, having retired from international cricket back in 2009, cites the importance of keeping friendships with the players he went to battle with and the joy they have expressed to feature in the game, especially in Jamaica.
"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 where it belongs," said Powell
