CRAB HILL, Barbados (CMC):

Only four overs were possible in 32 minutes of cricket on the rain-affected third day of the top-of-the-table, second round match in the Carib Beer Series between Barbados and Leeward Islands yesterday.

Heavy overnight and early morning rain drenched the outfield at the North Stars Cultural & Social Club, and delayed the start until after tea when Barbados, leading by 27 runs on first innings, reached nine without loss before another shower curtailed the day's action.

The Leewards' players appeared reluctant to take the field when the bell rang for a 3 p.m. (East Caribbean Time) start.

Manager Alton Grant said in a radio interview they were keen, but there were big concerns about the safety of the players.

"With the field in such a state, I think it was unfit for my players," he said.

"The umpires asked us to go out there and try ... We wanted to play because we feel we could win this match. We are more interested in playing than Barbados."

Then Kerry Jeremy and Adam Sanford took 20 minutes between them to get through the first two overs in between complaints of soft run-ups, and trips to the middle by the head groundskeeper to provide loose grass to cover the affected areas.

Barbados were to resume on their overnight total of one without loss in their second innings.

Although there was no seepage of water from the covers onto the pitch, some parts of the outfield were underwater, including the run-ups, just off the square either side of the pitch, and inside the boundary ropes on the western side of the ground.

This meant there was no play in the morning and afternoon sessions, but the cloudy to overcast skies soon gave way to brilliant sunshine, and the stiff prevailing breezes helped to improve the conditions.

Three-hour long evening session

Umpires Dalton Holder and Norman Malcolm made the last of their three inspections of the soggy outfield at 1:40 p.m. (ECT), and had hoped to get through a minimum of 45 overs in a three-hour long evening session before stumps were drawn.

The weather, however, did not cooperate, and a day which promised much, delivered very little.

Barbados had gained a lead on first innings, after off-spin bowler Ryan Austin collected career-best figures of six wickets for 86 runs from 24.3 overs, as Leewards were dismissed for 236 about half-hour before the scheduled close on Saturday.

Ryan Hinds had top-scored with 82 in Barbados' first innings total of 263, as Adam Sanford was the most successful Leewards bowler with three for 72.

Barbados entered the match at the top of the standings with 12 points, following a three-wicket win in their opening match against Trinidad & Tobago at this venue.