Sangakkara steers Sri Lanka to 219/8

Kumar Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka post a fighting 219 for eight against the West Indies after two spells of rain here Monday reduced the match to 41 overs a side.

Sangakkara struck 90 off 95 balls with support coming from captain Angelo Matthews (30) in a match being played over two days due to the weather. Kemar Roach was the stand out bowler for the West Indies, ending with figures of four for 27.

A passing shower delayed the match start on the reserve day with Sri Lanka on an overnight 60 for three in 19 overs.

The game was reduced to 45 overs a side before the teams got on the field.

The play could only last for 12 overs as rain hit the Queen's Park Oval again, leaving Sri Lanka at 122 for four in 23 overs. Sangakkara was on 40 and Mathews 17.

The match was shortened to 41 overs when Sri Lanka came out to bat again.

The disruption did not help the visiting side which found it tough to settle against West Indies speedsters.

Roach, who struck twice in his lethal spell on Sunday, continued to trouble the batsmen removing Mathews and Jeevan Mendis in the same over. Sri Lanka now were 147 for six in 35 overs.

Sangakkara was still in the middle and he gave some much needed impetus to the innings.

While Roach was out of the attack, the southpaw punished Tino Best for bowling loose balls, smacking him for a six and four. In all, he collected six boundaries and a maximum. Nuwan Kulasekara (14) gave him good company in the death overs.