Lara stars in losing effort for Aussie Legends

PERTH, Australia (CMC) — 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 yesterday.

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.

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 Michael Carberry stroked 28, in his debut match for 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 Legends, was the best bowler with two for 30 from four overs.

Symonds (1-43) and Andy Bichel (1-50) were roughed up by the Scorchers batsmen but Michael Kasprowicz proved miserly with one for 22 off his four overs.

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Lara stars in losing effort for Aussie Legends

Is brand Marley losing its roots?

WITH a restaurant, coffee, and a musical associated with his name, is there a danger of anti-establishment hero Bob Marley being over-commercialised?

That was the question pitched to the reggae legend’s daughter Cedella recently by Speakeasy magazine.

She said no, pointing out that her father, who would have turned 69 tomorrow, was more than a singer/songwriter.

“We have to remember Daddy was in the music business and it’s a business. At the same time, we keep the integrity of the man separate from the integrity of the musician,” she explained. “It’s a fine line because I don’t think lots of people know Daddy was a very smart businessman. He started his own record label, built his own studio, started his own distribution company where he was pressing records,” Cedella added. “He was very strict when it came to his business. He was the first person to print a Bob Marley T-shirt [laughs], let’s not get it twisted! He would wear his own T-shirt because that is the music business.”

She pointed out that T-shirts remain one of the most visible and profitable forms of Marley merchandise. There is also Marley coffee which is produced by her younger brother Rohan.

On Thursday, Cedella’s musical Three Little Birds (based on one of Marley’s most famous songs) opens at the New Victory Theatre in New York City.

Not all Marley merchandise have been a hit. A shoe line, launched in the 1990s, was shelved. Plans for a Marley beer never materialised.

Cedella spoke about plans for a One Love Café and also commented on the challenges of tracking illegal use of the Marley image.

We’re trying to combat a lot of the bootlegging. Every single day I get 100 letters from the lawyers. ‘Infringer, infringer, infringer’. So you try take care of all of them. As soon as you close one down you have 10 more that pop up,” she said. “The laws are different in various parts of the world, and you spend a lot of time and money doing infringement work. But an easier way to deal with that is almost like you have to step into their place because there’s a need for it,” Cedella continued. “If there wasn’t a need for that product, people would not be doing it. If we can do it in a more respectful manner, keep the integrity and message of our father, we’re always open to finding ways of making things a little bit better.”

Bob Marley died from cancer in May 1981 in Miami at age 36.

Three Little Birds is scheduled to end its run on February 23.

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Is brand Marley losing its roots?