SRI LANKA v WEST INDIES

At Brisbane, January 5 (day/night). West Indies won by seven wickets. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Bad weather spoiled the first floodlit international in Brisbane, staged on the 25th anniversary of the original one-day game between Australia and England at Melbourne. The weather was not as damaging, however, as the controversy that re-erupted around Muralitharan. Sri Lanka deserved to lose after choosing to bat on a pitch as green and damp as the outfield. Dismissed for 102, after Ambrose wrecked the top order and Browne made a record-equalling five dismissals, they were over-run by the 27th over. But they were really overwhelmed when Muralitharan was no-balled repeatedly by umpire Emerson, standing in his first international. Muralitharan resorted to leg-spin; he was still no-balled. Acting-captain De Silva seemed ready to prolong the agony, until frantic calls from the dressing-room prompted the bowler's removal. The senior umpire, McQuillan, who signalled no-ball himself from square leg, shook hands with Emerson before leaving the field, surrounded by police, as the crowd booed.

Man of the Match: C. E. L. Ambrose. Attendance: 13,899.