No play on third day

COLOMBO, (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The third day of the final Test match between the cricket teams of Sri Lanka and the West Indies was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Persistent drizzle at central town Kandy’s Pallekele stadium did not allow the covers to be taken off the pitch and finally the umpires Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford decided to call off play at 2.45 p.m local time.

The West Indies remained in their overnight score of five for 244 with vice captain Brendan Nash and the wicket keeper Carlton Baugh at the wickets.

With only two days of play remaining, Pallekele’s first Test is destined to be a draw.

More importantly the series would be drawn 0-0, which was the most unlikely outcome for the Caribbean team in the pre-series analysis.

Sri Lanka ranked third in the world Test rankings while the West Indies was in a lower place

Scores: West Indies 244-5 (D. Smith 55, D.M. Bravo 68, S. Chanderpaul 54, B. Nash 62 not out).