Sport & Entertainment
| Jan 17, 2023

Legends Cricket Festival in St Bess exceeds expectations

/ Our Today

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Bumper crowd was out to see West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara and Universe boss Chris Gayle

Ronald Green (left) and Lawrence Smith kick-started the afternoon with ice-cold Red Stripe Sorrel Beer.

Durrant Pate/Contributor
Thousands of cricket lovers poured into St Elizabeth last Sunday (January 15) for the historic Twenty20 (T20) Legends Cricket Festival at Treasure Beach Sports Park, where West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara and cricket’s Universe Boss, Jamaican Chris Gayle, provided a real cricketing sensation of a match.

The Trinidadian cricket maestro, Lara, and the tall West Indian and Jamaican opening batsman, Gayle, put on a show for the more than 7,000 fans who braved the traffic to the Treasure Beach Sports Park for a cricketing spectacle that was worth the journey from all over the island.

Kadian Crowe (left) and Dorrel Lewis couldn’t miss out on the cricket fun at Treasure Beach Sports Park.

The sun was out as many enjoyed the match with ice-cold Red Stripe beers and delicious jerk chicken, as they hung out with friends and family.

Following an exciting number of big hits and close calls, Gayle and his team walked away with the win, beating Lara’s by 11 runs.

We love cricket! Winston Eulett (left) and Carson Smith enjoyed ice-cold Red Stripe Light and the exciting cricket match in St Elizabeth.

The cricket festival, organised by former West Indies and Jamaican pace bowler, Daren Powell with the support of community leaders and hoteliers in the picturesque Treasure Beach community, best known as the pioneer in community tourism in Jamaica.

Cabinet ministers Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and Floyd Green were seen not just enjoying the game but making the rounds with the locals. It was fun, food and fellowship.

Match highlights

Gayle’s XI, led by a half century from the skipper, posted 156-6 from their allotted 20 overs. The opening left hander, who twice survived being bowled by a no-ball – first from Nikita Miller and later by Krishmar Santokie top-scored with 52 from 37 deliveries.

Richard Ebanks (left), young counselor of the Pedro Plains division, was pleased to catch up with fellow cricket lovers like Krishan James, vice chairman of the National Irrigation Commission, at the Red Stripe VVIP area.

He struck six fours and two sixes. Lara’s XI in their innings was led by former West Indies and Jamaican opening batsman, Wavell Hinds, who scored a 46-ball 43, as they were restricted to 145-4. Lara at his turned at bat also benefited from two no ball dismissals from Damion Ebanks.

He made a run-a-ball 32, giving the crowd a number of cheering boundary shots. At the end of the match, there was an after event party, which got those remaining cricket fans swinging to the music, dancing up a storm.

Relatives of Chris Gayle, Romaine (left) and Jason Robinson, enjoyed ice-cold Red Stripe beers as they showed big support for Gayle’s team.
From left: Friends Shemar Kerr, Roi-Anne Walsh and Martina McKenzie had loads of fun at Red Stripe’s VVIP area.
Chris Gayle’s producer, recording artiste Camar Flava (centre) caught up with fans Nadia Andrus (left) Victoria Roma at Red Stripe’s VVIP area.
Jodian Witter (left) and Sacsha Davidson enjoyed ice-cold beers and the thrilling cricket match in St Elizabeth.
Scenes from the Legends Cricket Festival at Treasure Beach Sports Park.
Scenes from the Legends Cricket Festival at Treasure Beach Sports Park.

Captions:

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CRI 25: Scenes from the Legends Cricket Festival at Treasure Beach Sports Park

Tags
Brian Lara Chris Gayle Legends Cricket Festival St Elizabeth West Indies

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