Windies take series as one-day abandoned after downpour

WEST INDIES claimed a 2-0 series triumph over Sri Lanka after the third one-day international was abandoned following heavy rain.

With the hosts holding an unassailable 2-0 series lead following two victories in Port of Spain, Sri Lanka sought to restore some pride on a slow wicket at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

Mahela Udawatte top-scored with 73 to help the tourists to 257 for eight before Sewnarine Chattergoon hit 46 as the West Indies reached 81 for two after 18.2 overs when rain ended proceedings.

Sri Lanka’s bid to avoid a series whitewash suffered an early blow with the loss of three early wickets but Udawatte steadied the ship before Tillakaratne Dilshan plundered 64 from 54 balls and Kaushalya Weeraratne 41 from 33.

Kumar Sangakkara departed for one after a leading edge to a Daren Powell delivery was taken by Darren Sammy before Mahela Jayawardene was out for 17 after a one-handed Powell catch.

Chamara Silva followed as Sri Lanka were reduced to 44 for three but Udawatte and Chamara Kapugedera then slowly established a foothold for the Sri Lankans, building a partnership of 84 before Kapugedera was undone on 40 by the off-spin of Chris Gayle, the Windies captain taking an easy caught and bowled chance.

Dilshan picked the pace up, but Sri Lanka suffered another setback when Udawatte was expertly stumped by Ramdin off the bowling of Gayle.

Weeraratne though came to the party with two effortless clipped sixes, the first over mid-wicket off Bravo and the second over wide mid-on off Powell.

Dilshan was finally caught by Kieran Pollard at long-on off Bravo as he attempted a second successive six, ending a quickfire 79-run stand with Weeraratne, who fell in the final over when he was clean bowled by Taylor before Thilan Thushara was run out attempting a quick single.

West Indies captain Gayle suffered a suspected groin injury in the field so Chattergoon was promoted to open.

Chattergoon and Runako Morton made a blistering start, racing to a 50-runpartnership inside eight overs.

But Morton fell with the opening ball of the ninth over, edging behind to Sangakkara off Mirando, who became the 15th bowler to pick up a wicket with his first delivery in ODI cricket.

Chattergoon closed in on a half-century, but was tempted by a Chaminda Vaas ball in the 16th over and was caught behind for 46.

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels were in the process of stabilising the innings when the heavens opened in the 19th over.