PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Stylish stroke-maker Darren Bravo extended his superb form when he stroked a delightful half-century to spur Trinidad and Tobago to a comprehensive 78-run win over the Academy XI, in the Cricket Festival Twenty20 series on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old left-hander, who scored three half-centuries in as many innings on the West Indies' recent Test tour of Sri Lanka, hit an unbeaten 75 from 56 balls, with five fours and two sixes, as T&T reached 172 for three off their allotted overs.

In response, the Academy XI could only muster 94 for five from their 20 overs.

Winning the toss and batting, T&T slipped to 32 for two as left-arm seamer Daniel St Clair prised out West Indies openers Adrian Barath (0) and Lendl Simmons (10).

Bravo and skipper Daren Ganga then posted 82 for the third wicket off 66 balls, with Ganga hammering an attractive 43 off 35 balls, with five fours.

When Ganga fell, Denesh Ramdin smashed a cameo 16-ball, unbeaten 37, in adding a further 58 with Bravo.

Ramdin, discarded by West Indies selectors earlier this year for the senior tour of Sri Lanka, hit two fours and three mighty sixes, one of which just landed behind the main stand at the Guaracara Park venue.

In pursuit of the challenging total, the Academy XI struggled and only Nicholas Sookdeosingh, with 27, showed any enterprise.