Colombo, March 5: The much anticipated Group A 2011 ICC World Cup encounter between Sri Lanka and Australia came to an abrupt end at the R Premadasa Stadium as heavy rain ruled out the possibility of a full match. Sri Lanka were 146 for the loss of three wickets in 32.5 overs when the game was stopped.

Earlier, it was Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara who won the toss and opted to bat first. The hosts got off to a terrible start as openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (4) and Upul Tharanga (6) were sent back to the pavilion by Shaun Tait and Brett Lee before the completion of the seventh over of the innings. A brief partnership of 43 runs ensued between Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, but Jayawardene’s run-out, with the score at 75, once again scuppered the hosts’ ambitions of stepping up the momentum.

A relatively quiet passage of play followed as Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera accumulated their runs largely through ones and twos. However, just as the Lankan batsmen were looking to put their foot on the accelerator, rain brought a halt to proceedings. The game was finally called off after a two-and-a-half-hour wait.

While the abandoned result gives both teams a point each, it is Australia who hold the edge over Lanka in the Group A standings as they have a game in hand and are yet to lose a match. Sri Lanka, who have now played four games, have five points and are placed second behind Pakistan in the same group.

Sri Lanka play Zimbabwe on March 10 next while Australia square off against Kenya at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 13.

Brief scores:Sri Lanka 146/3 in 32.5 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 73*, Thilan Samaraweera 34*, Shaun Tait 1/23).

Result: Match abandoned due to rain. Both teams awarded a point each.