BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul skilfully hit his 61st first-class century as Guyana took a solid 124-run first innings lead over Barbados on the third day of their fifth round Regional Four-Day match at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

The 37-year-old Chanderpaul, playing in his first match of the season following his recent return from the Bangladesh Premier League, kept a cool head in scoring 125 not out after surviving a chance on seven to Kenroy Williams at extra-cover, off discarded West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

Chanderpaul inspired Brandon Bess, who made 33, in a memorable last wicket partnership of 115, which lifted Guyana to 441 all out off 147 overs after they started the day on 187 for three in reply to Barbados' first innings total of 317 all out off 116.1 overs.

Left with four overs before the close, Barbados were five for one, losing left-hander Omar Phillips, who was snapped up at forward short-leg by Leon Johnson for two as he pushed forward to off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine in the third over.

Kraigg Brathwaite will resume on three, partnered by nightwatchman, debutant fast bowler Miguel Cummins.

Playing in his 278th first-class match, left-hander Chanderpaul occupied the crease for 322 minutes, faced 232 balls and struck 13 fours. He reached his century in 279 minutes off 194 balls with 11 boundaries after bringing up his fifty in 168 minutes off 114 balls with sevenfours.

Barbados, lifted by fast bowler Christopher Jordan's first ever five-wicket haul in his 31st first-class match and only his third for the island - he plays for Surrey in the English County championship - had fought back gallantly to reduce Guyana to 307 for eight.

But Chanderpaul and Ronsford Beaton managed to ease Guyana to the lead before Chanderpaul and Bess kept the bowlers at bay in a stand, which lasted 160 minutes off 39 overs.

Benn, who dropped Beaton on 28 at first slip off Cummins with the score 396 for nine — Chanderpaul was then 89 v ended the stand by having Bess leg before wicket after he stuck five fours and one six in his 112-ball knock.

Earlier, left-hander Deonarine, who resumed on 63, was caught at midwicket by Cummins from a miscued pull off occasional medium-pacer Jonathan Carter for 84 following a fourth wicket stand of 90 with Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Left-hander Deonarine batted for 231 minutes, faced 163 balls and hit 11 fours and one six.

Sarwan, who scored 52 after starting the day on 19, scored freely from early before he was 'squared up' by Jordan in the third over with the second new ball, which was taken with the score 260 for four after 87.3 overs -- 28 minutes before lunch -- and edged to Williams at second slip.