Rain delays start after Aus elect to bat

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 28 (UNI) The start of the cricket world Cup was further delayed due to rain after Australia had won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka here today.

It was after heavy rain at Kensington Oval delayed the proceedings by about 50 minutes.

Both Australia and Sri Lanka have fielded unchanged squads.

Teams: Australia: Mathew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting (capt), M Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Mike Hussey, S Watson, Brad Hogg, N Bracken, S Tait, Glenn McGrath, B Hodge (12th man).

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardane (Capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, T Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Dilhara Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekera (12th man).

Umpires: Steve Bucknor, Aleem Dar, Billy Bowden (3rd umpire), Match Referee: Jeff Crowe.

UNI