KINGSTON (Jamaica), May 25: West Indies’ first one-day international against India was called off without a ball being bowled following two days of heavy rain.

Sunday’s second match of the five-game series is also scheduled for Sabina Park, leaving the ground staff with a battle to prepare the pitch in time.

Match-referee Mike Proctor of South Africa inspected the pitch with umpires Russell Tiffin and Eddie Nichols early on Saturday but decided against going ahead because of the wet outfield and sodden pitch.

“The groundsman have been working hard over the last two days and had done a pretty good job but the heavy rain overnight left us with no option,” Nichols said.

“We were definitely hopeful of getting some play today, even if not the full 50 overs. Now we can only hope for some sunshine ahead of tomorrow’s game.”

One of the groundsmen said the outfield and the bowlers’ run-ups were the problem. “We need no more rain for sure if there is going to be any play tomorrow,” he added.

No play at Cardiff: Rain prevented any play on the third day of the four-day tour match between Glamorgan and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Scores: Sri Lanka 337-7 (K.Sangakkara 113, H.Tillakaratne 81, S.Jayasuriya 57; A.Wharf 4-71)—Reuters