West Indies and England frustrated as match abandoned because of rain
Match declared a wash-out without a ball being bowled in Grenada
Valkerie Baynes
25-Feb-2019
Groundstaff bring on the covers as rain delays the start of the 3rd ODI between the West Indies and England • Getty Images
The third ODI between West Indies and England was washed out after constant rain forced the match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled in Grenada.
The covers came off the pitch briefly as England won the toss, which had been delayed by more than an hour, and elected to bowl with the series all square at 1-1. But they were put back moments later. Ground staff removed the covers briefly as the prospect of a match reduced to 30 overs each was considered, but then the showers returned and the match was eventually called off around 2.40pm local time.
England were set to be without Ben Stokes, who rolled his ankle practising boundary catches on the eve of the match. He was replaced in the named side by Alex Hales. England also recalled Chris Woakes, who was fit but rested for the second ODI in Barbados as part of plans to manage his knee problem, meaning Tom Curran was omitted.
West Indies, meanwhile, had selected an unchanged side to the one which defeated England in their last encounter.