PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (Reuters) - The second one-day international between West Indies and England was abandoned as a draw after only 16 overs because of torrential rain yesterday.
West Indies, trailing 1-0 in the seven-match series, were 57 for two when the rain came, flooding the Queen's Park Oval and putting the third match, scheduled for Sunday, in serious doubt.
The game, already reduced to 46 overs because of heavy rain in the build-up to yesterday, was officially abandoned just before 1pm local time.
After winning the toss, West Indies lost Shivnarine Chanderpaul for three and Chris Gayle for 20 as they slipped to 34 for two.
But Ramnaresh Sarwan (11 not out) and Ricardo Powell (eight not out) steadied the side before rain forced the players off.
Chanderpaul, who hit 84 in the first match in the seven-game series in Guyana last weekend, was the first to go, caught by Chris Read off Steve Harmison for three.
Gayle hit two superb boundaries through the off-side but he fell to a well-taken catch by Paul Collingwood in the gully off the third ball by James Anderson, recalled to the England side in place of James Kirtley.
``It's very disappointing,'' England captain Michael Vaughan told reporters. ``We put West Indies under pressure out there.
``I thought Steve Harmison was very good with the new ball, he was clever, holding the ball across the seam and putting it in the right areas.''
Brian Lara returned from a finger injury to lead West Indies, with Sylvester Joseph the man to make way.