Rain rules in St Lucia

Udawatte impresses for Sri Lanka before bad weather has last word

Last updated: 16th April 2008

Rain rules in St Lucia

Udawatte: Top-scored for Sri Lanka with 73

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The third and final one-day international of the series between West Indies and Sri Lanka was abandoned following heavy rain in St Lucia.

The hosts were 81-2 after 18.2 overs as they looked to chase down a total of 257-8 when bad weather arrived for a second time at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Mahela Udawatte top-scored with 73 to help the tourists, who were attempting to avoid a series whitewash, post a challenging total on a slow pitch.

Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed 64 from 54 balls and Kaushalya Weeraratne 41 from only 33, helping their side recover from a shaky start that had seen them slip to 44-3.

Poor start

Kumar Sangakkara, promoted to open the innings, departed for one after edging a Daren Powell delivery to Darren Sammy.

The same bowler also had Chamara Silva caught behind in between taking a sharp catch in the field to get rid of the visitors' skipper, Mahela Jayawardene, for 17.

However Udawatte steadied the Sri Lankan ship, putting on 84 with Chamara Kapugedera, who fell for 40 when he offered a simple return catch to Chris Gayle.

Dilshan's arrival in the middle saw an immediate increase in the run rate and although Udawatte was stumped to become Gayle's second wicket, the Sri Lankans were now on the attack.

A quick-fire 79-run stand for the sixth wicket took them beyond 250 before both Dilshan and Weeraratne were dismissed in the closing overs .

Gayle injured

With skipper Gayle suffering a suspected groin injury in the field, the recalled Runako Morton was pushed up to open the innings.

He helped put on 54 before edging behind to Sangakkara off Thilan Thushara, who became the 15th bowler to pick up a wicket with his first delivery in an ODI.

Sewnarine Chattergoon cruised along to 46 until a tempting delivery from Chaminda Vaas saw him drive loosely and be caught behind just short of his half century.

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels stabilised the innings before the heavens opened in the 19th over, with the rain forcing no further action.