Cricket legend Brian Lara arrives in SVG for NCL GT20 matches 

By Admin. Updated 7:20 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

West Indies batting great Brian Lara is in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the NCL GT20 Caribbean Edition 2026.

Tournament organisers told One News SVG that Lara landed at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) this afternoon, Tuesday 27 October.

He arrives at a good moment. Play was paused today for Independence Day, as the country marks 47 years of independence, and the tournament resumes at Arnos Vale Stadium tomorrow, Wednesday 28 October.

Organisers say fans and others attending the matches will have the chance to meet the Trinidadian icon. For many local supporters, that will mean seeing up close a player they grew up watching.

Lara is regarded as one of the finest batsmen the game has produced. He still holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004. He also holds the highest first-class score, an unbeaten 501 for Warwickshire in 1994. He captained the West Indies across several spells before retiring from international cricket in 2007.

Tournament resumes

Tomorrow’s double-header opens at 10 a.m. with the Vancouver Guardians against the Brampton Blazers. The Toronto Kings then meet the Mississauga Skyhawks at 7 p.m.

The league stage continues through to Saturday 31 October. The semi-finals follow on Sunday 1 November, and the final is on Monday 2 November, with every match at Arnos Vale.

The tournament began on 23 October. Five Canadian-based franchises are taking part: the Toronto Kings, Vancouver Guardians, Mississauga Skyhawks, Montreal Warriors and Brampton Blazers.

According to a release issued by the organisers, National Cricket League USA, through PR Newswire, the matches are being broadcast to audiences in Canada, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Asia and Australasia.

Organisers have said that hosting the event gives St Vincent and the Grenadines a platform to promote its cricket heritage and natural beauty to viewers worldwide. They added that it should also boost business for the hospitality, tourism and transport sectors.

Tickets for regular matches are EC $10 per person, $15 for the semi finals and $20 for the finals on Monday, November 2.

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