Rain ruins Windies, England clash

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC):

Persistent rain here yesterday ruined West Indies’ hopes of building on their momentum as it forced the abandonment of the third One-Day International (ODI)against England without a ball bowled.

The adverse weather kept players off the field and ground staff and match officials occupied before the match was eventually called off at 2:40 p.m., with rain still hovering at the Grenada National Stadium.

Early morning showers had put a prompt start in doubt and then delayed the toss by 40 minutes. Even when England called correctly and asked West Indies to bat, the 10:35 a.m. start time was then revised after rain returned.

Umpires then identified a second scheduled start time of 11:45 a.m., which would have seen the contest reduced to 42 overs per side, but the weather yet again intervened.

Officials will hope for better weather for the fourth ODI which gets under way here tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., as the Windies chase a crucial series lead against the world number one. The series is tied 1-1 after England won the first ODI by six wickets last Wednesday and West Indies bounced back with a 26-run victory three days later in the double-header in Bridgetown last week.

The final match of the series is set for St Lucia next Saturday.