Close Sri Lanka 627 for 9 declared (Tillekeratne 204*, Samaraweera 87) and 27 for 0 beat West Indies 390 (Lara 221) and 262 (Lara 130) by 10 wickets
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There were jubilant scenes in Colombo as Sri Lanka overcame West Indies by 10 wickets in the third and final Test to take the series 3-0. After they had bowled the visitors out for 262, Sri Lanka needed just 26 runs for victory.

Marvan Atapattu, with a blistering 19 off 18 balls saw them home easily, with the help of a more restrained Sanath Jayasuriya (8 off 15 balls). Atapattu brought up the win in style, imperiously driving Pedro Collins through extra cover for the four runs that sealed victory.

Earlier the West Indies' tail folded as their last four wickets fell for just four runs, with Chaminda Vaas (7 for 71) the undoubted bowling hero. First of all he had Mervyn Dillon caught by substitute fielder Upul Chandana for a stubborn 32-ball 8 (257 for 8). Dinanath Ramnarine could only survive two deliveries before he was trapped plumb in front for a duck (258 for 8).

Vaas then struck twice again in his next over, picking up Collins and Marlon Black in successive deliveries, both lbw, to wrap up the West Indian innings. Ridley Jacobs was left on 31 not out.

Lunch West Indies 247 for 6 (Jacobs 20*, Dillon 4*) lead Sri Lanka 627-9 declared (Tillekeratne 204*, Samaraweera 87) by 10 runs

Another high-class century from Brian Lara has saved West Indies from the ignominy of an innings defeat, but his lone effort will not be enough to deny Sri Lanka a series whitewash – their first ever clean sweep against meaningful opposition. West Indies went into lunch with the slender lead of 10 runs but, with only four wickets remaining, the home side will surely wrap up victory this afternoon.

Lara began the day in positive mood, smashing Chaminda Vaas to the boundary, but the bowler had his revenge when he had Ramnaresh Sarwan caught behind for 66, breaking the prolific third-wicket partnership of 141(161 for 3). It was only the second time Vaas had taken a ten-wicket haul in Tests.

The breakthrough gave Sri Lanka renewed vigour, and Muttiah Muralitharan then struck twice in quick succession to drive home their advantage. Captain Carl Hooper was the first to depart, well stumped by Kumar Sangakkara for 9 (203 for 4). Marlon Samuels came in and survived a prolonged shout for a bat-pad catch off his first ball. Having used up his slice of luck for the day, he promptly gloved his second ball to Mahela Jayawardene at silly point (203 for 5).

Lara batted serenely on, raising his career average above 50 in the process – a personal goal he had set himself at the start of the series. But when he fell for 130, clean bowled by a Nuwan Zoysa inswinger, any faint West Indian hopes went with him (240 for 6).

A typically pugnacious approach from Ridley Jacobs, with an unbeaten 20 from 36 balls, then ensured that Sri Lanka will have to bat again to secure the win. Jacobs was stoutly supported by Mervyn Dillon, but it was all too little, too late.

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