West Indies cricketers returning home
Published:Thursday | December 9, 2010 | 7:21 PM
The West Indies cricketers are now travelling home after Sri Lanka and West Indies have agreed to postpone their one-day international series until January because of persistent monsoon rains.
The five-match series was due to begin at Sri Lanka's new Suriyawewa International stadium today.
However, with the rain showing no sign of abating, the tour was abandoned.
The matches are expected to be played in January, ahead of the 2011 World Cup which is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh from February 17.
Before the official announcement, there was confusion surrounding the tour.
Reports had suggested that the one-day series was called off yesterday by Sri Lanka Cricket and the West Indies board. However, Sri Lanka Cricket denied this, while the West Indies team management would not officially comment on the development.
Adding to the confusion was Chris Gayle's Twitter update - the former West Indies captain tweeted as early as Wednesday afternoon that the series had been officially called off and that he was headed out of the country.
The Windies' tour of the island has been marred by incessant rain and inclement weather, which partially contributed to a 0-0 stalemate in the recent three-Test series.