Sports
Lara stars in losing effort for Aussie Legends
Perth: Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara stroked a typically flashy half-century but failed to prevent Australian Legends from a 50-run defeat to Perth Scorchers in an exhibition Twenty20 clash here.
Chasing 180 to win at Aquinas College, the Legends XI ended on 129 for five with the left-handed Lara finishing unbeaten on 51 from 50 balls Monday, as per reports.
Lara started slowly before easing into his rhythm, and beginning to find the boundaries with touches of his old class.
The double world-record holder was the only batsman in his star-studded side to pass 20 as Dean Jones (16), Andrew Symonds (13), Justin Langer (9) and Adam Gilchrist (1) all fell cheaply.
Despite the loss, former Test star Langer said playing in the same team as the West Indies great was satisfaction enough.
“This is so much fun,” the left-hander said.
“To be on the same field as Brian Lara – I used to idolise him. Even when I played against him I loved watching him bat.”
Earlier, Ashton Turner thumped a top score of 75 from 38 balls while Englishman stroked 28, in his debut match for the Scorchers ahead of the Big Bash League starting later this week.
Marcus Harris chipped in with 23 and Sam Whiteman got 22, while Scorchers seamer Yasir Arafat, who played for the Legends, was the best bowler with two for 30 from four overs.
Symonds (1-43) and Andy Bichel (1-50) were taken for runs up by the Scorchers batsmen but Michael Kasprowicz proved miserly with one for 22 off his four overs.
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.