Draw looms after Sri Lanka-West Indies day four washout

Second Test, Colombo (day four, close):
SRI LANKA 387-9dec v WEST INDIES 165-5Full match scorecard

Rain fell persistently in Colombo making the pitch unplayable

Rain fell persistently in Colombo making the whole pitch completely unplayable

Persistent rain washed out the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies in Colombo, with a draw now the most likely outcome.

The inclement weather meant play was impossible in the Sri Lankan capital.

West Indies remain 165 for five in reply to Sri Lanka's 387 for nine declared.

Two wickets in three deliveries from part-time off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan had given the hosts the advantage after day three.

He snared the key wicket of Darren Bravo, who fell 20 runs short of a maiden Test century, before removing Brendan Nash.

Rain helped Sri Lanka draw the first Test, in which West Indies opener Chris Gayle made the joint 12th highest Test score in history with a knock of 333 runs.

Should the three-Test series finish in a 0-0 draw, England could move up to third in the International Cricket Council's world rankings as Sri Lanka may drop behind them and Australia into fifth position.