Rain interrupts Day 3 play of WI-Sri Lanka second Test

THE rain had a major part to play on the third day of the second Test match between the West Indies and Sri Lanka in Antigua as Sri Lanka reached 250/8.

There were multiple rain stoppages throughout the day which forced play to be pushed back and a decision was taken to end play at 6 p.m. yesterday.

With both teams hoping to get a result out of the Test match, it looked more unlikely with each shower which forced the players to seek shelter on the inside.

Play on the remaining two days is slated to begin a half hour earlier in an effort to get back some of the time lost on the third day.

The first hour saw some early success for the West Indies as Shannon Gabriel took his first wicket of the series with a quick-raising delivery, which Dinesh Chandimal hooked into the hands of substitute fielder Haydn Walsh Jr.

Chandimal scored 44 runs before he was dismissed.

The rain came twice before lunch as the West Indies looked to be making inroads into the Sri Lankan batting order, capturing the fifth wicket after play resumed after the first rain delay.

It was Dhananjaya de Silva (39) who was dismissed by Jermaine Blackwood for 39 runs.

Lunch was taken and still the rain continued with the West Indies taking the new ball two overs after play resumed.

Again the rain came with less than 10 overs played after the new ball was taken, however the West Indies had picked up another two wickets before the stop.

There was no play and Tea was taken as the rain continued and around 4 p.m. play was able to restart. The West Indies were able to pick up their eighth wicket before the rain had the last say, ending play on the day with only 10 overs bowled in the final session.

Undefeated at stumps were Pathum Nissanka on 49 runs and Lasith Embuldeniya, who has not troubled the score as yet.

Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder each captured two wickets apiece, while Kemar Roach, Gabriel, Kyle Mayers and Blackwood each have one wicket.

With two days left, a result in the game seems unlikely unless there are some dramatic events over the next two days and no rain.

Play begins today at 9:30 a.m. (CG)