WI cricketers play football for hurricane victims

AS the make-shift West Indies team continues to struggle in the tri-nation tournament in Sri Lanka, the Real West Indies team will take the field at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on August 13 in a charity match with the “Strike Squad”. The ocassion will be to raise funds to assist the hurricane-affected islands in the Caribbean, among them Grenada and Jamaica. The venture is the brainchild of West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine, who told the gathering at yesterday’s launch at the Marriot Hotel, in Mucurapo, that Grenada alone need US$100 million to restore the island to normalcy.

The Spice Isle is one of the islands that was severely demolished by Hurricane Ivan last year and was also affected by the passage of Hurricane Emily recently. Ramnarine also made it clear that Jamaica are also in need of financial assistance but is unsure of  how much. The WIPA boss stated further that the venture started last year with the West Indies players donating US$16,000, following which they went on to win the ICC Champions Trophy in England when they defeated England in fading light in a thrilling final. He added that their contribution was matched only by a significant amount donated by the First Citizens Bank, but he is hopeful that Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean will join in the venture.

The former West Indies spinner noted that he hopes corporate Trinidad come on board as the 2005 hurricane is already well on the way. Ramnarine made it clear that his association has been mandated to assist the people of the region in whatever way they can, and has found a partner in the “Strike Squad” which came within a point of reaching the World Cup finals in Italy 1990. He said that since the hurricane season has already started, his association has decided to take the initiative to accumulate funds to assist the people of the region in the event of another disaster. Ramnarine said tickets for the match can be bought at the WIPA office as well as the Ato Boldon Stadium for $50 each. 

Clayton Morris former captain of the “Strike Squad” said yesterday he welcomed the gesture of helping people in the region. He said Ramnarine came to him six months ago and told him about the fund-raising match and he immediately jumped at it. Among them are defenders Marvin Faustin, Dexter Francis, Brian Williams, midfielders Hutson “Barber” Charles, Marlon Morris goalkeeper Michael Maurice, and strikers Philbert Jones, Leonson Lewis, and Maurice Alibey. Coach of the team is again Everald “Gally” Cummings and manager will be Neville Chance, the ex-Director of Sports and assistant coach of the “Strike Squad.”

The Real West Indies team will be led by the left-handed Jamaican batsman Wavell Hinds and include goalkeeper Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed, veterans Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, Devon Smith, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Ian Bradshaw, Mervyn Dillion, Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels among others. Coach of the team is Carib Brewery Public Relations Manager Colin Murray, an ex-national cricketer, while Omar Khan is the manager. According Ramnarine, double world-record holder Brian Lara was also contacted to play in the match but has a prior engagement on that day. Ramnarine jokingly said that the reason why both parties chose to play football instead of cricket came after he saw Clayton Morris bat and Williams bowl.

Team: REAL WEST INDIES - Curtly Ambrose, Devon Smith, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Ian Bradshaw, Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Richard Smith, Mervyn Dillion, Courtney Walsh, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh, Keno Mason, Dwayne Bravo, Dave Mohammed, Dinanath Ramnarine, David Williams. Coach: Colin Murray; Manager: Omar Khan

STRIKE SQUAD: Michael Maurice, Clayton Morris, Brian Williams, Dexter Francis,  Floyd Lawrence, Marvin Faustin, Dexter Cyrus, Hutson Charles, Marlon Morris, Larry Joseph, Leonson Lewis, Kelvin Jones, Maurice Alibey, Philbert Jones, Russel Monroe, Alvin Thomas, Kerry Jamerson, Ross Russell, Dexter Lee, Lawrence George
Coach: Everald “Gally” Cummings, Manager: Neville Chance