POINTE-A-PIERRE,Trinidad (CMC):

DAREN GANGA hit a brilliant century and Trinidad and Tobago grabbed two early wickets to take the advantage over Barbados on the opening day of the Carib Beer Challenge final at Guaracara Park yesterday.

On a day of fluctuating fortunes, Ganga carved out an undefeated 120 to prop up Trinidad and Tobago's effort that had been set back by Pedro Collins' impressive four-wicket haul, to rally the hosts to 304.

In nine overs before the close, Barbados lost openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman to the delight of a hometown crowd of about 4,000 spectators and ended on 36 for two.

Ganga, batting at number three held the Trinidad and Tobago innings together after two double-strikes by Collins and another by Corey Collymore were threatening to put Barbados in the ascendancy.

Dwayne Bravo chipped in with a half-century, but Collins, who took four for 46 off 17 overs and skipper Ryan Hinds, whose left-arm spin earned him three for 68 from 17 overs, ensured that Barbados did not allow Trinidad and Tobago to post an imposing total.

Responsible approach

The right-handed Ganga batted for 5 3/4 hours, faced 239 balls and struck 18 fours in reaching his 20th first-class century and his third of the season. It was highlighted by his responsible approach, but also included several polished strokes.

Trinidad and Tobago, batting first after winning the toss, suffered an immediate setback when 16-year-old opener Adrian Barath was lbw without scoring to a full length ball from Collins. Lendl Simmons played a few nice strokes in 18 before his gifting his hand on the first hour with a loose stroke, slashing at a wide ball which he edged to wicketkeeper Patrick Browne to give Collins his second wicket.

By lunch, taken at 79 for two, Trinidad and Tobago had mounted a recovery with Bravo batting enterprisingly on the way to an impressive half-century.

Bravo, playing his first regional match since returning from the recent West Indies' trip to India, cracked 54 off 70 balls with nine boundaries before miscuing a pull from Collymore to be caught at cover.