LARA
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
WEST INDIES star batsman Brian Lara struck a superb century to guide Trinidad and Tobago to a first-innings lead over Guyana on the third day of their sixth-round Carib Beer Series match at Guaracara Park yesterday.
The triple world record holder smashed a stroke-filled 153 and title-chasing Trinidad and Tobago team were bowled out in late afternoon for 398, in response to Guyana's competitive first innings total of 346.
Guyanese speedster Esaun Crandon, who bagged a career best haul of seven wickets for 125 runs, matched Lara's brilliant effort.
Lara's innings lasted 382 minutes and 262 balls and included 12 boundaries. He shared in a third-wicket partnership of 159 in 194 minutes with skipper Daren Ganga, who contributed a solid 62 in 213 minutes with seven fours.
LAUNCHING PAD
The third-wicket stand by the two West Indies players was the launching pad for the local team in their bid for first innings points.
Chasing their first regional title since 1985, T&T resumed on 126 for two, with Lara on 60 and Ganga 45 and they pushed the score to 174 before the Ganga was bowled by the impressive Crandon, offering no stroke.
Dwayne Bravo joined Lara and T&T went to the lunch interval on 190 for three.
With the first ball after the break, Crandon bowled Bravo for nine, leaving the home side in a spot of bother on 190 for four.
The left-handed Sherwin Ganga (5) gave Crandon his fifth wicket when he was caught by Travis Dowlin at cover.
Rookie Test wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin (25) joined Lara and played intelligently until he was trapped leg before wicket to leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo with the score on 271 for six.
Richard Kelly (10) did not last long, but Rayad Emrit (55 not out) in partnership with Lara pushed the score within 15 runs of the first innings lead before Lara's fine effort came to an end - caught by Guyana's skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul at slip off Crandon.
Lara received a standing ovation from the packed Guaracara Park.
Guyana's bid for a first innings lead was thwarted by Emrit and Mohammed as they flayed the opposition's bowling attack.
After gaining the lead, Mohammed (8) became Crandon's seventh victim, but last man Sanjiv Gooljar (12) and Emrit frustrated the Guyanese with a last wicket stand of 50, giving the home team a lead of 52.
Emrit was left unbeaten with 55 made in 132 minutes with six fours.
Nagamootoo picked up two for 122 off 32 overs.
