BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - COMEDY, partying and cricket for a good cause were on show at Warner Park on Tuesday evening Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham hosted the first ever Beefy’s Bash.
A crowd of thousands was thrilled with a night of music culture and some comedy cricket as the event aimed to raise funds for three local charities.
The tone for the evening was set by Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas who was charged with bowling the first ball of the evening. Dr. Douglas thrilled the capacity crowd as he first marked out his run, before stretching his groin and charging in and delivering the first ball to former Leeward and Combined Islands batsman Luther.
Kelly however blocked the leg stump lined ball back towards Prime Minister Douglas.
Batting first Brian Lara’s XI amassed a competitive total of 177-7 off their 20 overs with opener Luther Kelly racing to a quick fire 28 and often earned the cheers of the huge crowd with his brilliant stroke play.
However the player most fans came out to see was Brian Lara who left the fans disappointed as he struggled while at the crease before hold out to mid-wicket off the bowling of Piers Morgan for no score which left a number of glum faces on the thousands of patrons who came to see him in action once again.
However the night belonged to Shane Jeffers blasted a quick 78 easily clearing the boundaries at the venue as he put on a show of magnificent shot play in a 90 run partnership with Graeme Swann to carry the team total to 177.
However the likes of former cricket legends, Mickey Author, Matt Maynard and Tom Moody as well as local batsman Darren Hobson set the platform for Piers Morgan’s side.
Hobson and Author got the team off to a great start with some lusty blows and the momentum was carried on by Matt Maynard upon the dismissal of Author.
Minister of Sport Hon. Glenn Phillip was then brought on to bowl and removed the dangerous Hobson, which was greeted by great cheers from the crowd. Moody and Maynard then were looking to steer Morgan’s team home before they were both removed in quick succession.
Morgan then strolled to the crease and played a captains knock to guide his team safely to victory. His side needed 21 from the final two over which Morgan then reduced to 11 off the final over after he was dropped by Brian Lara.
Morgan the hit a four off Lara to reduce the deficit to 7 then hit the West Indies legend for a six before hitting the winning runs to record a six wicket win for his team.
The night then ended with the presentation of the cheques of $5000 USD to the Special Olympics St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Creative Youth Academy.
