Ganga slams brilliant century

Ganga gallantly fought diarrhoea and the ravenous Sri Lanka "A" bowlers to gather 109 that helped West Indies "A" reach a respectable 277 for five when stumps were drawn on the opening day at the Saravanamuttu Stadium.

The West Indies "A"-Team captain struck nine fours and one six from 193 balls in almost four hours to help his side recover from the instability of 61 for two and collected his 6,000th First-Class run in the process.

He added 114 for the third wicket with vice-captain Marlon Samuels, who scored 34, and other useful knocks came from Dave Bernard, jr., who is not out on 41, and Lendl Simmons with 38.

Ganga, who has had a chequered career in which he has played 31 Tests and 28 limited-overs internationals, arrived at his landmark just before tea to give backbone to his side’s innings.

After West Indies "A" were sent in to bat, Tishan Maraj was caught behind off Nuwan Zoysa for five when he top-edged a pull, and there was more success before lunch for the hosts when Simmons was caught of Dilhara Lokuhettige.

Ganga and Samuels however, made the Sri Lankans regret their decision to bowl on a hard, easy-paced pitch before the breakthough came just before tea.

Samuels who had batted patiently for close to three hours and struck just two boundaries from 116 balls, was run out.

Ganga fell shortly after the break when he edged Farveez Maharoof to slip to leave West Indies "A" on 212 for four.

Darren Sammy joined Bernard and spent most of the evening adding 43 for the fifth wicket before Sajeewa Weerakoon, the bugbear for the Windies throughout the series, had him caught and bowled for 24.