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T V Sriram Dambulla (Sri Lanka), Aug 20 (PTI) Rain played spoilsport for the second consecutive day as the tri-series cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, which was re-played today after a washout yesterday, was called off after the home side batted for 43.4 overs here today. Put in to bat, Sri Lanka were looking for a big total with Mahela Jayawardene (59) and Chamara Silva (41) taking the home side to 203 for three in 43.4 overs before the heavens opened up at around 5:30pm local time to stop play at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here.
Rain stopped at around 7:30pm after which the umpires made an inspection along with the curator. There was a glimmer of hope for the match to start after the umpires decided to make another inspection at 9pm before taking a decision.
But the rain gods did not oblige as another downpour led the umpires to call off the match just after 9pm. The match between the two countries was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rains yesterday, forcing the organisers to have a re-match today, a reserve day.
Each side gets two points from the abandoned tie and this is bad news for Sri Lanka who were playing today''s match after being embroiled in a demoralising no-ball controversy in their second game on Monday. Off-spinner Suraj Randiv was banned for one game for bowling a no-ball to Virender Sehwag at the fag end of the match to deprive the Indian opener his century.
Senior batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan docked of his entire match fee after local media reported that he coaxed Randiv to bowl the no-ball. Sri Lanka, who now six points from three matches, will have to beat India in their last league match on August 22 to have any chance of reaching the summit clash on August 28.
New Zealand, who scored a massive 200-run victory over India to get a bonus point, are now with seven points from three matches. India, who play New Zealand on Sunday, also got a bonus point from their six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the controversy-marred game on Monday to secure five points from two matches.
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor won the toss -- just like yesterday -- but this time invited Sri Lanka to bat under overcast conditions. The home side were off to a strong start with Upul Tharanga and Dilshan putting on 56 runs in 9.4 overs for the opening wicket before the former fell to a Daryl Tuffey bouncer.
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