Ganga, Samuels help Windies
avoid follow on

Daren Ganga celebrated playing his first Test match at home with a century, while under-fire Marlon Samuels scored a half-century as West Indies avoided a follow on in the second Test against Australia on Monday.

Ganga, the first Trinidadian to score a Test century at the Queen's Park Oval for 20 years, made 117 as West Indies were all out for 408, 168 runs behind Australia's first innings score of 576-4 declared.

Samuels, whose place in the side had been in danger after he scored naught and seven in the first Test, also chipped in with 68 after Australia had taken two quick wickets in the post-lunch session.

The West Indies' bowlers continued their team's recovery when Vasbert Drakes had Justin Langer lbw for three in the sixth over of Australia's second innings.

Langer left the crease shaking his head following his second lbw dismissal of the match as Australia reached 31 for one at the close.

Ganga's century was the highlight of the day for the crowd, who on Sunday suffered the disappointment of seeing local hero Brian Lara miss out on his first Test century on his home ground by nine runs.

The 24-year-old, who did not score a century in his first 17 Test matches, has now scored hundreds in his last two. The last Trinidadian to make a century in Port of Spain was Larry Gomes against India in 1983.

Resuming on 186 for three overnight and still needing 191 to avoid a follow-on, Ganga and vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan added 62 to the overnight score before Sarwan, who missed the first Test with a fractured finger, was yorked by Brett Lee for 26.

Ganga went on to complete his hundred, for which he faced 185 balls, by sweeping leg-spinner Stuart MacGill through mid-wicket for his 15th boundary before lunch.

West Indies were back in trouble after lunch as Ganga was out without adding a run when he edged Lee to Matthew Hayden at first slip.

Debutant Dave Bernard, who hit Jason Gillespie for four in a positive start, had his off-stump removed as he was bowled between bat and pad by Gillespie having made seven to leave West Indies at 300 for six -- 77 runs short of the follow-on with four wickets standing.

But Samuels and debutant Carlton Baugh resurrected the innings, with Samuels blasting Brad Hogg for two fours and a six in one over.

He received a let off on 47 when he edged Andy Bichel to Hayden at first slip but the umpire signalled a no-ball.

Samuels was out after tea when he lofted MacGill to long-off and was caught by Bichel.

MacGill had earlier claimed his 100th Test wicket, in his 21st match, when debutant Baugh hit his wicket after a lively 19 on the last ball before tea.

Lee finished with 4-69 when he had Drakes lbw for 24.