Herath strikes against West Indies, after rain has its share again

Rain continues to eat into the playing time and a third draw appears certain now in the final Test.

PALLEKELLE // Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath claimed three wickets on the fourth day of the third Test to restrict the West Indies to a first innings 303 for eight at stumps, but heavy rain wiped out almost two sessions on Saturday.

Rain returned midway through the first session and only 15 deliveries were possible when the players returned after an early lunch.

Much of the play on previous days was also rained off after Sri Lanka won the toss and asked the visitors to bat.

Resuming the day on 244 for five, West Indies lost Brendan Nash for 67 caught behind off Herath, who also dismissed Carlton Baugh for 2 and Darren Sammy for 8 in the morning session to finish with 4-54. Nash hit five boundaries in his 117-ball innings.

Sulieman Benn was 29 not out with Kemar Roach on 12.

Earlier Darren Bravo (68), Devon Smith (55) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (54) also made useful contributions.

Rain disrupted the first two matches, and a third draw appears certain for this final Test.

A total of 604 of overs or six full days of play have been lost in the series so far due to bad light and rain.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies, 1st innings (Overnight 244 for five):

Chris Gayle lbw b Lakmal 0

Devon Smith lbw b Mendis 55

Darren Bravo lbw b Fernando 68

Shivnarine Chanderpaul c M. Jayawardene b Mendis 54

Brendan Nash c P Jayawardene b Herath 67

Dwayne Bravo st P Jayawardene b Herath 0

Carlton Baugh lbw b Herath 2

Darren Sammy lbw b Herath 8

Sulieman Benn not out 29

Kemar Roach not out 12

Extras: (4lb, 1w, 3nb) 8

TOTAL: (for eight wickets) 303

Overs: 103.3.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-115, 3-142, 4-241, 5-242, 6-252, 7-253, 8-274.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 17.3-5-41-1, Angelo Mathews 10-4-34-0, Tillakaratne Dilshan 10-1-20-0, Dilhara Fernando 15-2-72-1 (1w), Ajantha Mendis 28-6-78-2 (3nb), Rangana Herath 23-5-54-4.