Rain washes out fourth day’s play

CASTRIES: Heavy overnight and early morning rain drenched the outfield yesterday and forced the suspension of play late on the fourth day of the first cricket Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka at the Beausejour Stadium. Umpires Daryl Harper of Australia and Billy Bowden of New Zealand made numerous inspections of the conditions throughout the day before calling off play at 4.25 pm. There were no showers after the scheduled start time of 9.35 am but the outfield remained soaked even as the sun emerged to help the ground crew’s efforts. The West Indies were 272 for four in reply to Sri Lanka’s 354 when rain curtailed play 45 minutes after lunch on Sunday’s third day. Home team skipper Brian Lara was unbeaten on 93 and Marlon Samuels was five not out. There are 105 overs scheduled for Tuesday’s fifth and final day, weather permitting.