West Indies A in control against Warwickshire

Flashing blades and crashing stumps were the order of the day as West Indies A took total control of their three-day match with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Daren Ganga hit a century before Marlon Black ripped the heart out of Warwickshire's top order with three wickets in his first two overs. After declaring on 358/3, Black struck three times in his opening two overs. Some solid hitting from Dougie Brown allowed Warwickshire skipper Michael Powell to declare on 123/6 in a desperate and commendable search for a result.

The visitors' second innings got off to the worse possible start, with Nick Carter removing makeshift openers Donovan Pagon and Lendl Simmons cheaply. Positive batting from Ryan Hinds (31) and Gareth Breese (28 not out) took the West Indians to 72/3 at stumps, a lead of 307.

Black's demolition job began when he clean bowled Powell from the first ball of the innings. Mark Wagh and Dominic Ostler soon followed, both bowled for ducks as the sound of falling timber echoed around Edgbaston.

Pacer Darren Powell removed the stubborn James Troughton to leave the home side reeling on 21/4. Brown's belligerent 65 from just 79 balls was the perfect tonic, as the former England international chanced his arm in search of quick runs.

Earlier, Ganga had resumed in excellent form. The West Indian captain was overshadowed somewhat though, as 18-year-old Dwayne Bravo smashed 51, adding seven blistering boundaries after an uncharacteristically cautious start on day one. The young Trinidadian was dismissed by the spin of James Spires, following a 113 run stand for the second wicket.

Runako Morton signalled his intentions early. He plays with fantastic flair, and latched onto Spires and the gentle off-spin of Mark Wagh. The right-hander, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Monday, scores the majority of his runs in boundaries, and did not disappoint a small Edgbaston crowd.

At the other end, Ganga's 18th four bought his first century on tour. In the same over, Morton launched Spires away to complete his half century. The raid became a blitzkrieg, as the pair added 138 in less than an hour and a half. Morton eventually went, caught and bowled by Alan Richardson - who was again the pick of the bowlers - for 79. He faced only 91 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Hinds joined Ganga, hitting a quick unbeaten 19 before the declaration. Ganga's undefeated 131 came from 224 balls, with 20 fours and two sixes. The West Indians had scored at over four and a half runs an over, opening up the possibility of a result.