Ganga (112) stars in practice match

Ganga hit 112 to help the team being led by Sylvester Joseph reach 279 for three when stumps were drawn on the opening day.

The 29-year-old Ganga made hay in sunny conditions on a hard, true Three Ws Oval pitch to hit 14 boundaries in just under five and a half hours of batting.

He shared 183 for the first wicket with Joseph, who gave him solid support with 73, and added 41 for the second wicket with Runako Morton, who was not out on 36.

Joseph cracked 10 fours and two sixes in a little more than three and a half hours before he offered a return catch to Marlon Samuels bowling his off-spin darts.

After tea, Ganga, who had survived an early chance off Butler, was eventually undone when he was adjudged leg before wicket to fast bowler Tino Best.

Narsingh Deonarine came to the wicket and added 55 for the third wicket with Morton before he was dismissed in the final over of the day, caught at slip off Deighton Butler for 26.

The four-day practice match forms part of the West Indies’ preparation for a three-Test series Down Under against Australia.

Two-dozen players have been encamped for the week in Barbados from which West Indies will choose a squad of 16 for the tour that will have Tests at Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide.

Summarised scores—

JOSEPH’S TEAM 279 for three (Daren Ganga 112, Sylvester Joseph 73, Runako Morton 36 not out, Narsingh Deonarine 26) vs Chanderpaul’s Team.