Lara, Lewis lead TT XI to victory

It was the fourth over of the second innings when Lara, who waited 13 years to open the stadium, walked to the middle to a standing ovation.

The Trinidad and Tobago Brian Lara XI were 24 for one chasing 144 for victory after the International XI posted 143 runs for five wickets.

Lara invited a number of his friends and former teammates to play alongside him in the exhibition T20 match including Sir Curtly Ambrose, South African Herschelle Gibbs, Mervyn Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Jamaican- born Englishman Devon Malcolm and Corey Collymore.

Collymore decided to add more excitement to the night, bowling a bouncer with his first ball to his former teammate Lara.

Collymore also ran straight down the wicket to Lara after deliverying the ball, probably to ask Lara how is the bounce of the pitch at his brand new facility. The crowd was glued to the action in the middle as Lara reminded everyone of his ability as he struck Malcolm for a six over long off.

Lara and West Indies batsman Evin Lewis entertained with a 64- run partnership.

Lewis punished the International XI bowlers with some huge shots, helping himself to four fours and five sixes. Lewis also received a surprise visit, as a man with a PNM flag ran onto the field to greet Lewis after he struck another six. Lewis retired on 62 off 34 deliveries as the Lara XI were cruising on 88/1 in the 11th over. Dwayne Bravo, who made his debut for West Indies at the end of Lara’s international career, entered the middle.

Lara, who was an excellent player of spin bowling reminded Imran Khan of that, hitting the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force leg-spinner for a straight four followed by a six over long-on.

Nothing could spoil Lara’s night as he was dropped at wide longon and the ball went for six.

Lara, who struck two fours and four sixes, decided to retire on 44 off 33 balls. He received another standing ovation as he left the field, and made the evening even more special for one ball boy, presenting his gloves to the youngster.

After Bravo was bowled by Ian Bradshaw for 10, West Indies Under-19 cricketer Kirstan Kallicharan and West Indies cricketer Jason Mohammed guided the Lara XI to 146/2 in 16.5 overs.

Bradshaw (1/15) and Collymore (1/20) snatched one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Gibbs top scored with 56 not out (two fours, four sixes) off 48 deliveries, while former West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards contributed 30. Bowling for the Lara XI, Kevon Cooper took 2/10 in two overs, while Mohammed (1/11), Bravo (1/16) and Ramnarine (1/25) all grabbed one wicket each. Lara also decided to bowl one over, conceding 16 runs in the last over.