West Indies Masters lose in final

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

There was no dream end to the CLOBI Cup International Masters Twenty20 Championship for West Indies, as they went down to Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final on Tuesday night.

Chasing a challenging 176 for victory, left-hander Floyd Reifer slammed 54, but it was not enough as the hosts limped to 156 for eight when their overs ran out at Kensington Oval.

In the preceding third-place play-off.

Playing before a large crowd in the final at the historic venue, Sri Lanka rattled up 175 for eight from their allotted overs after they were sent in. Russell Arnold top-scored with 58 from 38 balls with four fours and a six, while Marvan Atapattu stroked 34 from 25 balls and powerful opener Sanath Jayasuriya scored 28 from 17 balls.

Fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh was the best of the bowlers, snaring three for 36 from his four overs.

West Indies were off to a poor start when they lost Rawl Lewis to a first-ball 'duck' off the second ball of the innings with the score on one. Stuart Williams lashed three fours in a 14-ball 20 before he perished in the fourth over, and Sherwin Campbell (7) and Courtney Browne (3) fell within the space of five balls to leave the Windies on 50 for four in the eighth over.