PORTSMOUTH, Dominica (CMC):

A LIGHT afternoon shower forced the abandonment of the third round KFC Cup match between Windward Islands and Barbados at Benjamin's Park yesterday.

After intermittent morning showers had delayed the start until 1:57 p.m. and reduced the match to a 20-overs-a-side affair, the game was called off when rain sent the players off the field at 2:47 p.m.

The stoppage forced an automatic abandonment since there was not enough time to get in the minimum number of overs by the 5:00 p.m. cut-off time. When the rain came, Barbados, who were sent in, were galloping at a fast clip to reach 82 for three off nine overs.

Opener Wayne Blackman blasted a quick-fire 27 off 13 balls with six fours, while Kevin Stoute made 21.

The two teams each collected one point each for the abandonment, moving them to five points in the competition.