LARA'S TONS v SRI LANKA 115 St Vincent, 1997 178 Galle, 2001 221, 130 Colombo 2001 209 St Lucia 2003 Final day photos

West Indies captain Brian Lara hit a brilliant 209 against Sri Lanka as the rain-plagued first Test drifted to a draw on the fifth day in St Lucia.

Lara, resuming on 93 after nearly two days were washed out, had led the home team's first innings to 441 - a lead of 87 - when he edged Prabath Nissanka behind.

The left-hander's innings, including his 21st Test century in 95 Tests and his fifth ever double century, lasted 360 balls.

The home side declared on 477-9, once Omari Banks reached a maiden Test half-century thanks to a six in the final over before tea.

In reply Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu put on 126 for the first wicket before the match was declared drawn.

With 72 not out, Jayasuriya outshone his partner, who ended unbeaten on 50.

When play resumed, spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana soon teamed up to stump Marlon Samuels for eight.

Ridley Jacobs lashed two fours in 13 off 24 balls to add 26 with his skipper, before Muralitharan claimed his fourth wicket, leg before.

Lara and Omari Banks added 136 for the seventh wicket, a record for West Indies against Sri Lanka.

Lara plundered three fours in 16 runs off one Kaushal Lokuarachchi over of leg-spin as he raced past 150, with 15 fours off 296 balls in 375 minutes.

Later, he added three more boundaries in an over off Nissanka, and two consecutive off Samaraweera.

West Indies: BC Lara (capt), RR Sarwan, CH Gayle, WW Hinds, D Ganga, MN Samuels, RD Jacobs, OAC Banks, M Dillon, CD Collymore, JE Taylor.

Sri Lanka: MS Atapattu, ST Jayasuriya, KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene, TT Samaraweera, HP Tillakaratne (capt), KS Lokuarachchi, RS Kaluwitharana, WPUJC Vaas, M Muralitharan, RAP Nissanka.