Trinidadian great makes unbeaten 68 as funds are raised following tropical cyclone Erika
Lara stars in Dominica charity match
West Indian legend Brian Lara wound back the clock in Barbados today (Sunday), starring in a charity match aimed at raising funds for the Caribbean country of Dominica.
The tiny island nation was hit hard last month by Tropical Storm Erika, which killed 31 people and left hundreds of homes destroyed.
The great man Sir Curtly Ambrose showed the fans he still has it. Rally Round #Dominica pic.twitter.com/HWKW6x9KNf
— westindies (@westindies) September 27, 2015
Authorities estimate the damage from Erika at upwards of $US200 million ($A278.88 million).
Lara and fellow Caribbean heroes such as footballer Dwight Yorke and sprint star Yohan Blake took part in the match at Kensington Oval.
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Lara (right) with Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake // WICB
Trinidad great Lara, 46, batted through the innings with an unbeaten 68 as the University of West Indies side made 6-154.
#RallyForDominica Lara. Majestic. He isn't young anymore but jeez this rolled back the years. Down the track. Up and over cover for 4.
— westindies (@westindies) September 27, 2015
Those runs were chased down by the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI with seven wickets in hand courtesy of a typically big-hitting performance from Kieron Pollard.
Legendary Windies quick Sir Curtly Ambrose and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were also among the crowd favourites, while Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels and Shane Shillingford were among many current players who took to the field for the cause.
Stafanie Taylor @stafanie20 celebrates her wickets with Jason Holder @Jaseholder98 as we Rally Round #Dominica pic.twitter.com/ITcK6LFgQR
— westindies (@westindies) September 27, 2015
Each team consisted of six West Indies cricketers and five regional celebrities and the West Indies Cricket Board said all proceeds from the match would be donated to the Dominica Emergency Relief Fund.
"Like most people in the Caribbean, we’ve all seen the devastating effect of these weather systems on Dominica, and we got together and tried to determine what we could do to assist,” said WICB president Whycliffe 'Dave' Cameron.
The great man Brian Lara @BrianLara in top form as we Rally Round #Dominica. He's now on 22 not out off 20 balls pic.twitter.com/LNIeWxGrBY
— westindies (@westindies) September 26, 2015
"West Indies cricket has brought the people of the Caribbean together like nothing else, so the WICB and our players are committed to doing our part to help in the face of disaster, as has occurred in Dominica.
"Using the power and contribution of cricket, so that the recovery efforts underway in Dominica can continue and life can steadily be restored to normal in the island is very crucial.”
Olympic medallist Yohan Blake @YohanBlake had a a grand time with the bat as we Rally Round #Dominica pic.twitter.com/14ZdHs29b8
— westindies (@westindies) September 27, 2015