Debasis Sen, Port of Spain: It was a star studded night on Saturday at Hilton,Trinidad as Queens Park Cricket Club celebrated its 125 years celebration. The galaxy of stars included great Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes , Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and the Prince of Trinidad, Brian Charles Lara.
The Indian little master, who was one of the speakers along with Lara emphasized that T20 cricket is not a threat to Test cricket. Gavaskar who had a brilliant Test career and mastered the West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval on many occasions said that T20 cricket is no threat to Test cricket as there is a place for all formats. “There was also the same worry when one day cricket came about but Test cricket survived and now comes the T20 and there is the same worry. I think that Test cricket is in no danger because of T20 and in fact we need to use all formats to build the sport.”
Legendary former West Indies batsman Brian Lara underscored the value of Queen’s Park Cricket Club to West Indies and world cricket at the club’s 125th anniversary celebration. Lara traced the club’s deep history speaking of great players who would have passed through the gates at Tragarette Road.
“This club has produced 40 Test cricketers which is a tremendous feat for any club to achieve across the world. The club has made a tremendous contribution to me and has opened many doors for me and for this I am thankful.
“We have had many players coming through and going on to do wonderful things in world cricket and we as Parkites are very proud indeed.”
Lara recalled his first Test innings at the Queen’s Park Oval, when he was dismissed by Pakistani Asif Mujtaba on 96 and said the members had to wait for another 10 years before he finally got a Test century at the Oval and it came against Australia.
He heaped praises on Joey Carew who took him in, while at Fatima College and assisted in his development as a cricketer. “Joey Carew’s love for Queen’s Park was second to none and his love for cricket was pleasurable. He did a lot for the club and was really a great tactician who truly understood the game of cricket.”
The function also saw live performances from Lord Relator and Super Blue. Lord Relator sand the famous calypso he wrote as a tribute to Gavaskar and Indian team on their famous test series win in 1971.
The real entertainment came at the end of the function when West Indies T20 star Dwayne Bravo thrilled the gathering with his foot tapping ‘Champion-Champion’ number. It had the entire ball room swaying to the tunes, not to leave behind was 80 year old Sir Gary and Lara.