The covers are taken off the cricket pitch in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Monday, in the hope that play would resume after being delayed by rain, on the fourth day of the second Test between South Africa and West Indies. — AP PORT ELIZABETH —South Africa's hopes of victory on day five of the second Test against West Indies were thwarted Tuesday by heavy overnight rain and a wet outfield which prevented any play. The top-ranked Proteas had hoped to wrap up the West Indian first innings with the tourists on 275 for nine before scoring quickly to set up a testing afternoon for the visitors to survive. But the weather, which allowed for just 201 overs out of a scheduled 450 in the Test, caused a disappointing end with West Indies still 142 runs behind the host's first-innings score of 417 for eight declared. Play was called off just after 1300 (1100 GMT) with two pools of water in the outfield showing no signs of drying out sufficiently to get play. South Africa leads the three-match series 1-0 with the final match starting in Cape Town Friday. Whatmore Zimbabwe coach Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed Australia's former international Dav Whatmore as national coach ahead of the 2015 World Cup, a top union official announced Tuesday. Whatmore replaces Stephen Mangongo who was fired less than two weeks ago over the national side's poor showing during a recent tour of Bangladesh. “His initial assignment is to see us through to the World Cup,” Wilson Manase, Zimbabwe Cricket chairman said, “and thereafter we shall work out another long term contract.” Lanka drops Perera Sri Lanka dropped opener Kusal Perera Tuesday and recalled seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekara for the upcoming One-Day International series against New Zealand. Sri Lanka named a 16-member squad for the seven-match series which starts in Christchurch on Jan. 11. Dimuth Karunaratne, who played his last one-day game for Sri Lanka one year ago, was retained after a 152 in the first Test against New Zealand even though Sri Lanka lost the match by eight wickets. Karunaratne may now open the batting with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga was also included in the squad, subject to a fitness test after an injury. — Agencies
