Rain set to break Kandy jinx

Sri Lanka's Kandy jinx looks set to be broken after a second day marred by bad weather which is likely to led to a draw in the second match of this three-Test series.

Only 73 minutes of play were possible after prolonged rain on Thursday night delayed the scheduled start by four hours.

During the time available West Indies quickly wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings, but then lost an early wicket to leave them on 39 for one when play was abandoned for the day.

Left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins struck in the first over the day as he clean bowled Nuwan Zoysa for 23.

That brought local hero Muttiah Muralitharan to the wicket. In August he had swatted and spaded the Indian bowlers all over the ground during his highly entertaining maiden half-century, but he failed to repeat his heroics and was caught at mid on for four.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 288.

Nuwan Zoysa, playing his first Test match since Sri Lanka played England in March at Kandy, over eight months ago, struck with his very first delivery back.

Daren Ganga followed a wide short-of-a-length delivery and guided it lamely into the safe hands of Mahela Jayawardene at third slip.

Chris Gayle, short of runs in Galle, then showed that he was still in prime form, hitting four powerful boundaries in his 25, including two resounding pulls off Zoysa.

Chaminda Vaas encouraged a couple airy wafts as he swung the ball away from the left-hander, but West Indies lost no further wickets before the close.