Brian Lara rolled back the years on Saturday night, guiding The Harvard Club to a commanding eight-wicket win over Ebony Sports Club in their abbreviated North Zone T20 Festival opener at Diego Martin Sports Complex.
The 56-year-old West Indies legend stroked five fours in an unbeaten 26 off 17 balls, sharing a match-winning 56-run stand with Andre Yard (31 off 23) as Harvard raced to 104 for 2 in 11.4 overs, chasing Ebony Sports’ modest 100 for 6.
Kevin Charles (2/19) spearheaded Harvard’s bowling effort, with support from Robin Ramdeen (1/12), Kylon Jacob (1/14), and Yard (1/17).
Ebony’s batting never flourished, with only Clevon Frederick (19), Johnathon Lacario (16), and Dominic Redhead (15) getting into double figures.
In the second match, defending champions Santa Cruz Sports edged Combine All Stars by three wickets in a tense affair.
Veteran Frank Simmons anchored the All Stars with a composed 64, while Aamir Ali’s late fireworks (14* off 5 balls) lifted them to a modest 127 for 4.
Santa Cruz faltered to 64 for 4 in reply, but a steady partnership between Brian Yearwood (32) and Davis Guerra (32*) carried them over the line with 14 balls to spare.
Ali threatened with a brilliant 5 for 9, but it was not enough.
Santa Cruz Sports will go after a place in the semifinals when they take on Ebony Sports on Thursday.
Ebony Sports will have to go back to the drawing board as they take on Santa Cruz Sports, who are targeting their third straight win in a Thursday clash.
The Harvard Club returns to action against Combine All Stars on Tuesday, while Ebony Sports will take on Barataria Ball Players on Monday.
Group A
Summarized Scores:
Ebony Sports 100 for 6 in 15 overs (Clevon Frederick 19, Johnathon Lacario (16), Domonic Redhead 15; Kevon Charles 2/19, Robin Ramdeen 1/12, Kylon Jacob 1/14) vs The Harvard Club 104 for 2 in 11.4 overs (Andre Yard 31*, Brian Lara 26*, Kegan Jones 25; Trey Serrette 1/11, Kareem Roberts 1/20). The Harvard Club won by eight wickets.
Combine All Stars 127 for 4 in 20 overs (Frank Simmons 64, Abdul Raheem Toppin 22*, Aamir Ali 14*; Davis Guerra 2/16, Brian Yearwood 1/19) vs. vs. Santa Cruz Sports 128 for 7 in 18.2 overs (Brian Yearwood 32, Davis Guerra 32*, Devon Sween 16; Aamir Ali 5/9, Adrian Burke Jr. 1/7, Adrian Burke 1/30). Santa Cruz won by three wickets
