Final Windies v Sri Lanka one-dayer abandoned

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (Reuters) - Heavy rain caused the third one-day international between West Indies and Sri Lanka to be abandoned after just 18 overs of the hosts' innings on Tuesday.

West Indies won the series 2-0 following their two victories in Trinidad.

Half-centuries by Mahela Udawatte and Tillakaratne Dilshan led Sri Lanka to a total of 257 for eight and West Indies had reached 81 for two before the downpour.

Officials waited over 90 minutes before deciding that the day/night game could not be finished, leaving a large crowd disappointed.

Sri Lanka had slumped to 44 for three when the 21-year-old Udawatte, playing just his third international game, joined Chamara Kapugedera to share a stand of 84 before the latter was caught and bowled for 40 by skipper Chris Gayle.

Opener Udawatte's 122-ball knock ended on 73 when he was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off spinner Gayle.

Sri Lanka were then boosted by a typically lively performance from Dilshan, who struck 64 in 54 balls and shared a quickfire partnership of 79 with Kaushalya Weeraratne (41).

The home team, already without the ill Shivnarine Chanderpaul, had to start their reply without opening batsman Gayle who picked up a groin injury while fielding.

West Indies openers Sewnarine Chattergoon (46) and Runako Morton (17) made a decent start but with the game nicely poised and Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels at the crease the weather intervened.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami, Editing by Ed Osmond)