PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica were crowned joint champions of the West Indies Blind Cricket Series after rain forced a no-result in the final yesterday.

Jamaica won the toss and batted first and had progressed to 174 for three after 21 overs when rain brought a swift end to the encounter at the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre.

"It was very, very disappointing but we have no control over that since rain is the Master's work and we just have to respect that," Bhawani Persad, president of the T&T Blind Cricket Association, told CMC Sports yesterday.

Keenly contested final

"Both Jamaica and Trinidad were looking forward to a keenly contested final and of course, these kinds of unforeseen circumstances really dampened their hopes but, nevertheless, we did end up that they were joint winners.

"[There was] very good cricket [throughout the tournament]. Blind cricket, since the first tournament back in 2006, has improved tremendously. We are seeing a crop of players for the future that looks good. Based on that, we are very optimistic of having a brighter tournament as we continue to develop."

The first appearance of rain was around 11a.m. and an early lunch was taken. The players returned at 1p.m. and after three overs, the rain came again to rule out play for the rest of the day.

In the time available, skipper Toussaint Gardner hit 47 for Jamaica.