Brian Lara shines in losing cause in charity T20 match for Dominica victims

Brian Lara on way to an unbeaten 68 for UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI

Former legends and current stars of the West Indies came together with other celebrities like sprinter Yohan Blake and Manchester United’s Dwight Yorke to produce an entertaining charity T20 match on Sunday, with Kieron Pollard’s big hitting taking the WICB President’s XI to a 7-wicket victory over UWI Vice Chancellor’s Celebrity XI.

The match was being played for the benefit of those affected by the tropical storm Erica in the troubled island of Dominica, which killed 31 people and rendered thousands homeless.

The 46-year-old Brian Lara rolled back the years to last the duration of the 20 overs for the Vice-Chancellor’s Celebrity XI, scoring 68 off 53 balls, hitting 8 fours and 1 six. Dwayne Bravo gave him good company with a 32-ball 35, and Yohan Blake chipped in with an useful knock as well.

More well known for winning a World Championships gold medal and an Olympics silver medal, Blake was one of the most active cricketers on the field. He is known as the second fastest man in the world on his feet, and showed similar mettle in the 1 over he bowled later in the day as well, going for only 6 runs.

Sir Hilary Beckles, the venerated Vice-Chancellor of the University of West Indies and the captain of his side, also played a good knock with the bat but was smashed all around the park by Kieron Pollard in the second innings.

For the WICB President’s XI, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (46 off 38 balls) and Marlon Samuels (26 off 11 balls) provided a good start, before Kieron Pollard (49* off 22 balls) took centre stage and took his team to victory with 5 overs to spare.

Curtly Ambrose bowled a great nostalgia-inducing spell, finishing the match with figures of 1/23 in his 3 overs.

Authorities estimate the damage from Erika at upwards of $US200 million ($A278.88 million). 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.

Full squads:

UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI: Sir Hillary Beckles, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Brian Lara, Floyd Reifer, Kaveem Hodge, Shane Shillingford, Dwight Yorke, Yohan Blake, Shane Dowrich, Deandra Dottin, Dwayne Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach, Ian Bradshaw.

WICB President’s XI: Jason Holder, Darren Sammy, Courtney Browne, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard, Shai Hope, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Stafanie Taylor, Garth Garvey.

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

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

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