Ganga’s epic 265 puts TT in command

SALEM, Montserrat: Darren Ganga recorded the second highest individual score in regional first-class cricket when the Trinidad and Tobago captain stroked his way to a brilliant 265 to put his side in command against the Leeward Islands on the third day of their four-day Carib Beer Cricket Series match at the Salem Park, yesterday. Ganga, who eclipsed 263 made by Guyanese Clayton Lambert but fell short of Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 303, spurred Trinidad and  Tobago to their highest regional score of 579 all out, bettering 541 made against Barbados at the Kensington Oval in 1979.

But despite all the euphoria, there was some concern in the Trinidad and Tobago camp as young batsman Lendl Simmons underwent an operation yesterday on his appendix and will take no part in the match. Ganga’s epic knock, which took 408 minutes, off 375 balls and decorated with 36 fours and two sixes, coupled with Gregory Mahabir’s maiden first-class century, 112, in 183 minutes, off 225 balls including 12 fours, shared in a record fifth-wicket stand of 307 that was chiefly responsible for TT establishing a challenging lead of 207.
 
Leewards off-spinner Omari Banks, who bowled disappointingly throughout the innings, profited later in the innings as he finished with six for 153 off 35 overs, as TT lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs as they went in search of quick runs. But resuming on 367 for four with Ganga on 169 and Mahabir on 27, the batsmen continued from where they left off against the second new ball, which was taken after one over. Ganga, who was caught at the wicket off a Carl Simon no-ball on 171, paced his way to his double century which came up in 402 minutes, from 292 balls with 28 fours and two sixes, after he had cover-driven Simon for four to push TT past the Leewards’ first innings total of 372.

Left-handed Mahabir soon reached his century when he flicked Simon to the boundary. The Leewards made a slow start to their second innings and when they reached 39, Junie Mitchum was caught at mid-wicket off off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth for 14. But Shane Jeffers, who is 26 not out with six fours, and Runako Morton, unbeaten on 16 with two sixes, have taken them to the close on 64 for one. The Leewards still require a further 143 runs to make TT bat again on the last day today.