The seasoned left-hander from Jamaica played the sheet anchor's role to perfection after the shocking dismissal of skipper Brian Lara (0) in the first over as West Indies, after bundling out Sri Lanka for 178 runs in 49.3 overs, reached 181 for seven with three balls to spare.

Adams, who came into the middle after Lara was caught behind by Romesh Kaluwitharana down the leg side off Chaminda Vaas with just one run on the board, struggled at the start but played right through the innings.

The southpaw braved a bout of cramps towards the end of the innings and a fine spell by off-spinner Mutthiah Muralitharan (2-24).

Earlier, pace bowler Curtly Ambrose produced a fine spell as the West Indies restricted Sri Lanka to 178 all out. Right from the start,Ambrose kept the free-stroking Sanath Jayasuriya in check before having him caught behind in his final over. Jayasuriya, who began with a spectacular six over cover off Nixon McLean, made 28 off 52 balls. Sri Lanka managed to put up only 90 for two in the first 30 overs. They then suffered a middle order collapse during which they lost four wickets for just 28 runs.

SCOREBOARD (INCOMPLETE)

SRI LANKA: M Atapattu c Powell b Dillon 10, S Jayasuriya c Jacobs b Ambrose 28, A De Silva c Jacobs b Campbell 27, R Arnold b Campbell 20, M Jayawardena run out 10. C Silva c Jacobs b Adams 4, R Kaluwitharana b McLean 36, C Vaas C Powell b Perry 11, P Wickremasinghe not out 4, N Zoysa run out 6, M Murlitharan b McLean 0.

Extras (lb6, w15, nb1): 22

Total (in 49.3 overs): 178

Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-55, 3-90, 4-104, 5-110, 6-118, 7-162, 8-169, 9-178

Bowling: McLean 8.3-1-40-2, Ambrose 10-6-5-1, Dillon 7-0-23-1, Perry 6-0-29-1, Adams 10-1-23-1, Campbell 8-0-52-2.