Lara flogs Leewards bowlers

CHARLOTTE AMALIE: Star batsman Brian Lara smashed an unbeaten century to place Trinidad and Tobago in a commanding position after gaining first innings lead over the Leeward Islands on the second day of their seventh-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at the Addelita Cancryn Ground yesterday.

At stumps Trinidad and Tobago — 145 runs ahead on first innings — were 313 for four wickets in their second innings, 458 runs ahead. The Leeward Islands were earlier bowled out for 158 in their first innings. Lara hit 14 fours and a six to record the first century at the venue as he delighted a crowd estimated to be around 7,000, who had come to see the world double record holder. He and Dwayne Bravo (44) added 145 for the fourth wicket in 140 minutes. Lara’s half century came in 64 minutes from 56 balls after lashing seven fours and a six, while he took 106 balls to reach his century in 110 minutes.

The Trinidadians found themselves batting after the Leeward Islands batsmen failed miserably, and the openers gave them another solid start of 86 before Andy Jackson (55) was the first to go, yorked by medium pacer Kerry Jeremy as he continued his attacking style of batting from the first innings. Jackson struck 11 fours in a shot-filled 43-ball innings that lasted 66 minutes. Captain Daren Ganga (32) was next out as he slashed Omari Banks to Jeremy at backward point. Twelve runs later, Imran Jan (50) edged off-spinner Alex Adams to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.

 Lara and Bravo then came together, with their partnership being broken when medium pacer Junie Mitchum bowled Bravo late in the evening. Resuming on 89 for four wickets after a late start due to rain, the remaining Leeward Islands batsmen would only add 69 runs.  The only resistance came from Banks who was not out 38 with four fours and a six.