KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) - Former West Indies captain Brian Lara signalled that he may not yet be past his best when he hit an attractive century to help Trinidad & Tobago to a 176-run triumph over Northern Windward Islands in their Zone-A Red Stripe Bowl West Indies limited-overs cricket match at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

Lara, whose commitment and desire for the game that has brought him much fame has been questioned in recent months, showed that the fire might still be in his belly when he cracked a delightful 129.

Opening batsman Andy Jackson, a graduate of the Shell Cricket Academy of the St George's University, and former Trinidad & Tobago captain Richard Smith all posted centuries in the twin-island republic's 409 for six off 50 overs, the highest total in regional limited-overs competition.

Kirsten Casimir top-scored for Northern Windwards with 83 off 92 balls and there was an unbroken last-wicket stand of 65 between Wayne Phillip and Darren Sammy that gave some substance to their side's response of 233 for six off 50 overs, but it was a hard act to follow Trinidad & Tobago.

Casimir struck nine fours and two sixes and looked like he would be the fourth batsmen to reach triple figures, but he was denied when he was caught hitting out to give Daren Ganga his only wicket in 10 overs that cost 35 runs.

Casimir shared stands of 43 for the fifth wicket with John Eugene and 55 for the sixth wicket with Phillip, but his dismissal late in the innings left Northern Windwards in danger of a heavier defeat. Phillip and Sammy however, averted that indignity with their stand.

Earlier, Lara played a number of his trademark strokes throughout his 88-ball innings that contained 14 fours and three sixes before being stumped off Wendell Roberts.

Lara and Smith, whose 102 off 68 balls included 11 fours, shared 199 for the fourth wicket after Jackson had hit 14 fours and six sixes in 112 off 53 balls to dominate an opening stand of 147 with West Indies batsman Daren Ganga.

Jackson played strokes all around the wicket before he was stumped off Balty Watt and Lincoln Roberts was bowled by Fermix Thomas to leave Trinidad & Tobago 159 for three.

Against some unusual field placing and poor fielding at times, Lara and Smith delighted the crowd with a succession of drives, hooks, pulls and square cuts.

By the time the two were separated, Trinidad & Tobago had left the outcome in do doubt after posting the highest regional limited overs score to topple the Combined Windward Islands' 324 for four off 50 overs against Bermuda at the same ground four years ago.