Kumar Sangakkara steals show in Sri Lanka win

India face Sri Lanka on Tuesday when the two spots in Thursday8217;s final will be decided.

Sri Lanka had struggled to 60 for three before rain halted Sunday8217;s play and the weather delayed the start on the reserve day with the game eventually being reduced to a 41-over contest.

But Sangakkara,having initially helped solidify Sri Lanka8217;s innings,when they had been 29-3 on Sunday,took charge with an outstanding knock.

The classy left-hander hit seven boundaries,including one six,in his innings and worked the ball around the Queen8217;s Park Oval as the West Indies attack struggled to find a line or length to tie him down.

After Lahiru Thirimanne went for 23,beaten by spinner Marlon Samuels8217; quicker ball,skipper Angelo Mathews came in and gave Sangakkara valuable support.

With 30 from 27 balls,including two sixes,Mathews helped step up the run rate as the pair put on a swift 46-run partnership but Sri Lanka8217;s second top scorer was extras 8211; West Indies bowlers gifting them 31.

The total of 219 for eight in 41 overs meant,under the calculations,that West Indies needed 230 to win from their allotted overs but once again the Caribbean side made a shaky start.

Chris Gayle went for 14,slashing a Mathews delivery to Shaminda Eranga at short third man and then fellow opener Johnson Charles departed,also for 14,superbly caught and bowled by Eranga.

West Indies were soon struggling at 29 for three after Mahela Jayawardene snapped up Samuels at slip off Eranga and just two more runs were added before Devon Smith was trapped leg before by Mathews.

But Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo assembled an excellent partnership which threatened to make a real contest of the game.

The Trinidadian pair put on 123 runs before Simmons 67,who had played some beautiful strokes,including four sixes,drove a full-length Eranga delivery to Thirimanne at deep cover.

Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy were removed cheaply before Bravo was finally removed,caught by Jeevan Mendis for Mathews8217; fourth wicket.

West Indies ended on 190 for nine,enough to stop Sri Lanka from earning a bonus point which would have secured them a place in the final.

As it is,all three teams remain in with a chance with West Indies left to hope Sri Lanka can beat India.