JAMAICAN left-handed batsman Christopher Gayle is among a slew of local and regional stars set to grace the second staging of the Cricket Clubs Activity Committee (CCAC) Ultimate Cricket Bash festival at the Melbourne Oval, starting at 10:00 am today.
Gayle, fresh from topping the run-scoring charts playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the just-ended Indian Premier League, and all-action all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, as well as the Barbadian pair of Dale Richards and Sulieman Benn, are all booked to appear.
Others set to compete are the Jamaicans Andre Russell, David Bernard, Andrew Richardson, Carlton Baugh and successful four-day captain Tamar Lambert.
In a statement issued by CCAC chairman Wavell Hinds, the big-hitting Gayle shared that he is looking forward to supporting the clubs and parishes by competing in the fundraising event.
“I’m looking forward to it because it’s always good to give back to club cricket in the country. I will always support this kind of venture that I’m a beneficiary and a product of,” Gayle stated.
Meanwhile, Hinds told the Jamaica Observer that he is expecting a fun-filled day of cricket, netball and other activities at the event, which was last held two years ago.
“We have great expectations of how things will turn out. It won’t be just about cricket as thanks to the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) we have also arranged for two FastNet netball matches. It is a family-oriented affair so expect bounce-about and other games for children,” said the former West Indies batsman.
He explained that Dwayne Bravo’s late inclusion is a pleasant surprise.
“Bravo wanted to play initially, but his club in Trinidad is in the final stages of their Twenty20 Festival. However, because of inclement weather there, and some matches being rained out, he chose to come to Jamaica, and we have accepted him with open arms.
According to the former left-handed opener, the aim of the CCAC is to strengthen the unity within the clubs and parishes, rejuvenate the local cricket circuit and create an atmosphere to encourage players to feel a sense of responsibility and attachment to their respective clubs.
The Ultimate Cricket Bash 2 event, which is put on in association with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and endorsed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), will help in raising funds for the CCAC to improve infrastructure, such as club maintenance and the acquiring and repairing of various machines and equipment.
Hinds added that Gayle, Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan have made “financial contribution of significant amounts and the CCAC is more than grateful for their kind gesture.”
In the feature encounter of the all-day spectacle, a CCAC All Stars XI will clash with a Jamaica Invitational XI.
For the curtain-raiser, a Masters and Celebrities XI is set to oppose a Media XI.
As a result of the Cricket Bash, no matches in the JCA-run Senior or Junior Cup competitions will be played.
