Rain forces no-decision in Sri Lanka-Australia clash

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC):

Kumar Sangakkara led a fightback for Sri Lanka before the island's unseasonable weather took a toll on their ICC Cricket World Cup contest against four-time defending champions Australia yesterday.

Sangakkara was unbeaten on 73 and Thilan Samaraweera was not out on 34, as Sri Lanka, choosing to bat, reached 146 for three from 32.5 overs in their Group A match - a repeat of the 2007 World Cup final in the Caribbean - before a huge, evening deluge drenched the Premadasa Stadium.

The pair was sharing an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 71 when the inclement weather forced the players to leave the field.

With no result possible, the teams were awarded one point each to move to five and remain in second and third place, respectively, in the group table. Australia have a match in hand, however.

Wet field

The huge canvas covers that protect almost the entire outfield were submerged in water, after the unrelenting rain forced umpires Ian Gould and Tony Hill to abandon the match about 21/4 hours earlier than scheduled.

"It was shaping up to be a helluva match, but here we are watching it monsoon down," said Gould.

Australia had taken early control of the match, after Tillakaratne Dilshan was caught at slip for four in the second over, bowled by Shaun Tait, and Upul Tharanga was caught by a flying Steve Smith at point off Brett Lee, as Sri Lanka stumbled to 31 for two in the seventh over.

Mahela Jayawardene had started the recovery with Sangakkara before he was run out by Smith's direct hit at the bowler's end in the 16th over, to leave Sri Lanka on 75 for three.

Seven boundaries

But Sangakkara struck seven boundaries from 102 balls and found Samaraweera a steady ally to put Sri Lanka on course for a competitive total, before the rain cut them short.

Australia, who have won the last three tournaments, have not lost a match in the World Cup since 1999, a run of 31 games.

The deluge brought back memories of the last time the teams met in the World Cup when rain in Barbados suspended the 2007 final.

On that occasion, Sri Lanka returned to bat in the gathering gloom before losing a match forever remembered for its false ending, as the umpires halted play in the twilight before returning to the middle for the last rites after Australia had started their team celebrations prematurely.