Windies lose despite Lara's heroics

Sri Lanka wrapped up a 3-0 series whitewash over West Indies on Monday despite Brian Lara's historic feat of adding 130 to his first-innings double century.

Left-arm pace bowler Chaminda Vaas stole Lara's limelight as he took seven wickets for the second innings in succession, the home side winning the third and final test by 10 wickets after being set 26 to win.

Lara had the consolation of becoming the first player for 28 years -- and only the fifth in history -- to make a century and double century in the same test.

West Indies' hopes of salvaging some pride on the final day of the series had rested on the left-handed Trinidadian, who resumed on 76 not out in a total of 145 for two.

He reached three figures, his 18th test century, by cutting off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to point for three, his hundred spanning 198 minutes and 169 balls and including 11 fours and a six.

But his dismissal just before lunch, bowled by an inswinging yorker from left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa, proved decisive.

That made it 247 for six at the break, a lead of only 10, and Vaas quickly wrapped up the innings with the final three wickets to end with seven for 71 from 25 overs as West Indies were bowled out for 262.

Sri Lanka's win was built on a double century by Hashan Tillakratne in their first-innings 627 for nine declared.

Lara finished the three-match series with an average of 114.66.

The last player to achieve a century and a double century in a test was Australia's Greg Chappell (247 not out and 133 against New Zealand at Wellington in 1973-74).

Vaas ended the match with figures of 14 for 191.

Mail Cricket Editor