Rains lord over Eden

Kolkata, Feb 8 (UNI) What promised to be lip-smacking series opener with India-Sri Lanka in full war-cry at the Eden Gardens, ended in a soggy affair after 18.2 overs thanks to a cyclonic weather condition near the Bay of Bengal.

Sri Lanka were on 102 for three when the asphalt sky opened up.

Sreesanth could not bowl the third delivery of his fifth over as the batsmen had to walk off the field. The covers came into action, the floodlights had already been lit.

A steady shower for over an hour meant that the ground was waterlogged and two super-soppers and a host of groundsmen working overtime could not put the greens back into playing condition.

The umpires made the first inspection at 1850 hsr and the covers were removed to see if the ground could be readied for a truncated game. The next inspection was scheduled at 2030. Umpires Simon Taufell and Suresh Shastri walked into the middle and saw the conditions. Rahul Dravid and Mahela Jayawardane also made it to the ground. And the match was finally called off after talking to both the captains.

With the drizzle turning into a steady downpour the game did not look to be starting off any time soon and it didn't. Sanath Jayasurya, who looked in ominous touch, walked back on 63 along with Marvan Atapattu on five.

A cyclonic weather near the Gangetic West Bengal intensified overnight drawing in rain bearing winds making it impossible for the game to resume.

Earlier, Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to field and though the Lankans began in their trademark whirlwind fashion, a double strike from Munaf Patel pegged the Islanders back.

Sri Lankans had a point or two to prove in this series after being defeated 6-1 in a tennis match like score in the last tie.

Even without Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas crossing the Palk Straits the islanders looked to have cut out their plans.

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