West Indies A ride on Ganga's hundred

West Indies A ended the first day of the final unofficial Test, at the Saravanamuttu Stadium, on 277 for 5. They were indebted to a captain's innings by Daren Ganga, who recorded his 15th first-class hundred. With the three-match series level at one-all, the West Indies A innings was given stability by Ganga who batted bravely - fighting diarrhoea to steer his team from a shaky 61 for 2 to one of respectability by the end of the day.

Since making his debut seven years ago, Daren Ganga has failed to hold down a permanent place in the senior side. Yesterday however, he was in his element, constructing a workman-like innings of 109 in 231 minutes, hitting nine fours and a six. He and his new deputy, Marlon Samuels, took full advantage of a good batting pitch by adding 114 for the third wicket, before Samuels fell for a patient 34 in the 61st over due to an unnecessary run-out.

Unperturbed by the loss, Ganga brought up his 15th first-class hundred before the tea break - in 196 minutes and 168 balls and also passed the milestone of 6000 runs in first-class cricket. Samuels was replaced by David Bernard and another good partnership was taking shape until Ganga had a momentary lapse of concentration and edged Farveez Maharoof to Ian Daniel at slip.

Bernard and Darren Sammy only managed a further 43 runs for the fifth wicket, as Sammy was caught and bowled by Sajeewa Weerakoon, who has been the destroyer of West Indies A's batting throughout this series. Weerakoon, however, failed to cling on to another return catch, as Bernard and Richard Kelly held out to the end.

At the start of the day, Sri Lanka A surprised many by asking their opponents to bat first after winning the toss, a decision they regretted while Ganga and Samuels were at the crease. They had started the day well, however, with Nuwan Zoysa dismissing Tishan Maraj off a top-edged pull, and the impressive debutant Simmons falling for a well compiled 38 before Ganga stood firm in his captain's innings of 109.