Brian Lara Academy opens today

Instead, it will be a Brian Lara Trinidad and Tobago XI against an International XI in an exhibition T20 match, from 7 pm, at the Academy, following an opening ceremony which will begin an hour earlier.

Sports Minister Darryl Smith, during a post-Cabinet media conference on April 20, announced that Tendulkar was expected to participate in today’s match but it was revealed last week that the ex-India captain had never confirmed his attendance for today’s game.

Instead, the international names who will compete in today’s encounter are former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, ex-South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs, West Indian-born ex-England pacers Devon Malcolm and Gladstone Small, and Bermudian all-rounder Terryn Sunil Fray.

Other notable names include former WI captains Ramnaresh Sarwan, Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Bravo, as well as Sir Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Browne, Corey Collymore, Ricardo Powell, Mervyn Dillon and Dinanath Ramnarine.

In a media briefing at his Lady Chancellor Hill, St Ann’s residence yesterday morning, Lara revealed, “just sitting back and listening, I normally feel I can tell when something is going to blow over. It seems like this has festered for quite some time. I felt embarrassed.” He apologised for the lack of communication among himself, the Sport Company and Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

“Maybe we put our left foot before our right foot but that is something I apologise for. I don’t think it’s anyone else’s fault. I’m expressing disappointment in myself for not really getting everything stacked up properly but so be it.

At the end of the day we’ll have a beautiful facility,” he said.

Lara gave an insight into how the Tendlukar mix-up came about, explaining, “I’ve invited my friend and I want the rest of Trinidad and Tobago to know I spoke to Sachin, I was in India and I was (wondered) how do I approach this guy and even ask him if it’s possible...I wanted the opportunity to use his name and (others) like Sir Garfield Sobers.” Earlier at the media briefing Lara, reading from a prepared speech, commented, “I was contacted to be involved in the opening ceremony and a date for it. January was talked about, then April and May.

“I suggested my birthday, May 2, which with preliminary inquiry sat well with a number of international players, including Sachin Tendulkar, my good friend. May 2 was a Tuesday and it stood for a while as the date until I was asked to consider a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.” Lara, 48, said he contacted Tendulkar, who could only “squeeze in one day on his busy schedule” and unfortunately, messaged him to say he couldn’t come.

“I felt that proceedings were well on the way and, with my schedule restrictions as well, that it was best to stick to the date (of the opening ceremony) and arrange something with Sachin and other contemporaries of mine at a later date.” Addressing the furore with the potential naming of one of the stands after Tendulkar, Lara described the former Indian batsman as a rival on the field and a friend off it.

Three weeks ago, chairman of the Sports Company (SPORTT ) Michael Phillips was reported as saying the north west stand at Tarouba would be named after Tendulkar, a decision which upset some of the local cricketing fraternity, including TT Cricket Board (TT CB) president Azim Bassarath.

Lara remarked, “I urge you not to see this as a Trinidad and Tobago facility but as us Trinidad and Tobagonians leading the field in embracing what sport is all about, especially cricket.” The opening of the Academy yesterday continued to caused controversy though with MP for Princes Town Barry Padarath calling for the match to be called off.

On April 25, Padarath suggested major questions were yet to be answered about the safety of the structure.

Yesterday, however, Lara said, “We heard from professionals and I am satisfied. I visited the venue on many occasions and made suggestions which I have seen been implemented.

This can be confirmed by the project managers on site.” Padarath yesterday noted that Sports Minister Smith had admitted the venue has not been ICC accredited or cleared as yet.

Teams - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BRIAN LARA XI: Brian Lara, Mervyn Dillon, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Rayad Emrit, Evin Lewis, Kirstan Kallicharan, Tion Webster, Dinanath Ramnarine, Kevon Cooper, Jason Mohammed, Navin Stewart, Lyndon Lara.

INTERNATIONAL XI: Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka), Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa), Devon Malcolm (England), Gladstone Small (England), Terryn Sunil Fray (Bermuda), Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Imran Khan, Curtly Ambrose, Ricardo Powell, Courtney Browne, Kirk Edwards, Corey Collymore, Ian Bradshaw.