West Indies hopes of winning the first test against Sri Lanka suffered a setback after rain interrupted play on the third day in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed for 73, and the West Indies bowling attack looked good in overcast conditions with Kemar Roach and Dwayne Bravo picking up the wickets of Paranavitanna (10) and Sangakkara respectively.

However, Mahela Jayawardene held firm for Lanka with an unbeaten 51 helping the Lankan lions get up to 165-3 at close.

On day two, West Indies had set Lanka a huge target of 580 by declaring the innings helped by a triple ton by Chris Gayle.

Sri Lanka started the day from their overnight score of 54-1 and Tharanga Paranavitana lasted only till the third over of the day, after a Roach delivery smashed his off-stump.

However, Sangakkara was on hand to help Lanka recover and he completed his half-century off just 45 balls including nine boundaries. His 71 and his partnership with Jayawardene ended when an inswinging yorker from Bravo uprooted his stumps.

Shortly after Jayawardene got to his 37th test half-century, play was called off due to bad light before rain set in to abandon the restart two hours later. Day four will begin early in a bid to make up for lost time.

Cricket Cricket