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Former West Indies outstanding batsman Christopher Gayle has rescued his alma mater Excelsior High School's cricket team at the last minute, which will enable them to participate in the Tampa Premier Youth Twenty20 (T20) cricket tournament in Tampa, Florida, Friday to Sunday.

The 'Universe Boss' donated $1.2 million for their participation in the Thanksgiving T20 tournament. There were doubts about Excelsior's participation in the tournament because of a lack of funds.

The pleas from coach Kirkland Bailey for support from their alumni fraternity failed to bear fruit. Alumnus Gayle, however, stepped to the crease with the generous donation to help defray the cost of their trip.

The cricket luminary has committed to pick up the entire tab towards accommodation for the delegation, which comprises 16 players, four officials and four parents. They departed the Sangster International Airport yesterday.

The games will be played in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, with Excelsior having a practice match today against the Orlando Cricket Club.

They will also play another warm-up match against Jamaican counterparts Tacky High School on Thursday before their opening game in the tournament the following day.