Rain washes out first One Day

Rain washed out the first of five limited-overs cricket internationals between hosts New Zealand and the West Indies last night.



The West Indies, batting first after losing the toss, were 129 for five wickets in the 36th over when rain forced the abandonment of play at the Queenstown Events Centre.



Rain had interrupted play twice previously, after the first over when the tourists were one without loss and at 49 for two.



Ramnaresh Sarwan was top-scorer for the West Indies with 38, while Chris Gayle made 25 and Xavier Marshall was 29 not out when rain stopped play.



Tim Southee was the best of the New Zealand bowlers, taking two for 33 from 7.7 overs.



The second match of the series is at Christchurch on Friday night (Jamaica time).