Gros Islet (St Lucia), July 3 2009: Ramnaresh Sarwan’s half-century helped the West Indies register 185 for seven off 27 overs in a rain-marred third One-Day International against India at the Beausejour Stadium, here today.

The hosts braved the stop-start game, which witnessed as many as four rain interruptions and brought the overs down to 27 per side, to post a competitive total after India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to field. Sarwan (62) was involved in two crucial partnerships, 51 runs with Runako Morton (22) and another 48 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (15) before he was run out going for a non-existent second.

Gautam Gambhir’s strong throw found Sarwan short of the mark. His 58-ball stay included five fours and a six. He carried on the momentum provided by captain Chris Gayle (27), who gave the hosts a rollicking start after the match started two hours and five minutes late following a rain delay that first reduced the match to 41 overs a side.

Gayle hit Ishant Sharma for a couple of boundaries in each of his first two overs.

Left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra received similar treatment in his second over, another couple of boundaries, before rain intervened with the West Indies at 27 for no loss from 3.3 overs. Play resumed after a 15-minute delay but the distraction was enough to unsettle the West Indies captain, who departed chasing a widish delivery from Nehra.

Gayle slashed the first ball after resumption and Dhoni did the rest behind stumps. His 14-ball stay at the crease had six hits to the fence. Morton (22 off 34 balls), who was a silent spectator till then was joined by Sarwan and the duo took the score to 56 for one from 9.1 overs before rain intervened for a third time.

Following another 15-minute delay, the overs were reduced to 36 per side. However, rain forced play to be suspended again just two deliveries on re-start with the hosts on 57 for one. This time play remained suspended for an hour and 20 minutes before it resumed with the overs reduced to 27 a side.

Morton greeted RP Singh with a four but fell soon after, failing to read Harbhajan Singh’s doosra and was stumped by Dhoni with the score reading 78 for two. Sarwan though didn’t let the stoppages affect his rhythm as he took 16 runs off one Yuvraj Singh over to help the hosts go past the 100-run mark in 16 overs. Along with the vastly experienced Chanderpaul, the duo put on 48 runs before the left-hander departed trying to hoist Yusuf Pathan over mid-on and Nehra doing the rest.

Left-arm pacer Nehra was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking three wickets for 21 runs off his five overs.

Tagged with: Ashish Nehra, Chris Gayle, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Ramnaresh Sarwan, RP Singh, Runako Morton, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, St Lucia, West Indies, Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh

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