Bad weather again prevents cricket in Sri Lanka

The first limited-overs international between India and Sri Lanka was called off due to heavy rain after just 22 deliveries were bowled at the SSC grounds on Friday.

The match itself started after the lunch break and match referee Chris Broad of England ruled it would be played over two days with the second innings to begin on Saturday, the scheduled reserve day.

But the heavens opened again after a brief spell of sunshine, allowing just 16 minutes of play in which India made 11 for no loss after captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to bat.

Dravid was unbeaten on nine and Sachin Tendulkar, returning to international cricket after five months, was on two.

The match will continue on Saturday, weather permitting.

Three limited-overs games between India and Sri Lanka have been organised in lieu of the tri-series that was cancelled on Wednesday after South Africa pulled out due to security reasons.

The remaining two games are to be played on Sunday and Tuesday at the same venue.

The first two matches of the tri-series were also washed out by the receding south-west monsoons.

India: Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Ramesh Powar, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga.