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Playing for the North team against South on Thursday in day one of the annual Gerry Gomez Memorial Classic, at the Queen’s Park Oval, the gifted left-hander held three good catches in the slips and then made a workmanlike 34, to help his side reach 94 for four, in reply to South’s 176.
The world’s double record holder was full of himself, when he fielded with the North team, then showed that he is coming into his own with a resolute little innings, that pleased all and sundry.
Lara came to the wicket with North reeling on 13 for two with West Indies ‘A’ batsmen Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo back in the pavilion and played responsibly to thwart off the Southerners’ bowling attack, headed by dropped West Indies pacer Marlon Black, who grabbed three for 30.
He added 52 with former Test batsman Lincoln Roberts for the fourth wicket, before he was deceived in flight and was caught and bowled by veteran off-spinner Mukesh Persad late in the afternoon for 34.
The former West Indies captain batted for 123 minutes, faced 78 balls and struck five boundaries.
When lights were offered to the batsmen with six balls remaining, Roberts was unbeaten on 34 and former West Indies youth captain Zaheer Ali on one.
Earlier, defending champions South, led by newly appointed Trinidad and Tobago captain, Daren Ganga, won the toss and opted for first strike and were dismissed on the stroke of tea for a modest 176.
Leading the way for the Southerners was left-handed opening batsman Andy Jackson who smashed an aggressive 78 from 79 balls.
The talented Clico Preysal Sports player smashed 11 fours and one six in his innings that lasted 137 minutes.
Former Trinidad and Tobago youth pacer Ricardo Paty was the top wicket-taker with figures of four for 29 from 9.1 overs.
He was well supported by left-arm quickie Asif Jan who collected two wickets for 34 runs and part-time bowler Dwayne Bravo with two for 27.
West Indies fast-bowler Mervyn Dillon took things lightly as the 12 overs he sent down earned him a solitary wicket for 40 runs.
Summarised scores:
South 176 all out (Andy Jackson 78, Shazam Babwah 26, Ricardo Paty 4/29, Dwayne Bravo 2/27, Asif Jan 2/34) v North 94/4 (Brian Lara 34, Lincoln Roberts 34 not out, Marlon Black 3/30).