COLOMBO – West Indies’ Adrian Barath cracked a maiden century before the first one-day international against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to heavy rain in Colombo. The 20-year-old opener limbered up for the World Cup with an impressive 113, which included two sixes and eight fours, to help the West Indies post a competitive 245-5.
But a downpour during the interval drenched the Sinhalese Sports Club and prevented Sri Lanka from coming out to bat. Barath stabilised the innings after the tourists lost two wickets for 42 runs, including that of hard-hitting Chris Gayle, adding 165 for the third wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan, who hit a solid 75. The West Indies were well set for a final onslaught after reaching 206-2 in 43 overs, but paceman Lasith Malinga (3-51) restricted the tourists with three quick wickets, including those of Sarwan and Barath in the same over.
The World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, starts on February 19. The West Indies made a poor start after winning the toss as Gayle (four) was caught behind off paceman Nuwan Kulasekara in the day’s fourth over. Darren Bravo also did not last long, making eight before being run out. Barath, playing only his sixth one-dayer, went for big shots after completing his half-century as he hauled part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan and seamer Angelo Mathews over mid-wicket for sixes.
Sri Lanka had to wait for more than 30 overs to claim another wicket as Barath and Sarwan dug in. Malinga broke the stand when he had Sarwan caught by Chamara Kapugedera at long-on after the batsman had hit one six and four boundaries in his 100-ball knock. The same combination accounted for Barath a ball later.
