1.30pm The match has been called off. The inevitable has happened. Weather has won the day. The series is drawn. Not sure if we'll have some kind of a presentation ceremony, just as a formality. If there is, we'll get you the details. If not, it's sad to bid goodbye. It's been a terrible five or so days, but here's hoping for a better time in the ODIs. See you then, Adios.

12.20pm The cut-off time, we're being told now, is in fact 1.30pm. So a bit of a lifeline for this match, but the situation still hasn't changed.

12pm: "Nothing has changed here," remains the status. If the situation doesn't improve in another 30 minutes, there won't be any action.

11.21am: Another update from Andrew. Nothing new. "Nothing's changed here. Rain is still coming down. Covers are on. Skies are overcast."

9.50am: Andrew Fernando, who's writing the bulletin for this game and taking in all the fun in Pallekele, sends us this: "It's alternated between rain and drizzle all morning, and the skies are very overcast. No signs of clearing. Match will be called off at 12:30 if there is no improvement."

9.35am local time: Hello and welcome to the coverage of the fifth day's play of this absolutely riveting Test series. With a result guaranteed on the fifth day, we can be sure of some enthralling cricket. Okay, enough. The fact is that it's drizzling still in Pallekele, and it rained through the night. The ground is under covers on the final morning as well, and chances of any play are bleak. We'll give you an update as soon as we have one. But the covers are out, it's very overcast. There is action in a different part of the world, though, and it's shaping up as a huge challenge for the hosts. Australia are being hit around by Kevin Pietersen, who's on the verge of a double-century. Meanwhile, in Pallekele, it's a horrible state of affairs. See you when we have an update.

2.55pm All over. Stumps are drawn early in Pallekele. Depressing stuff all round. And to think we have one more day of this ahead of us. Join us at 9.45am tomorrow and we'll take it from there. On your way out, add @ESPNcricinfo to your twitter feed for cricket updates faster than light. Plenty of football action coming up this weekend and you can find it all on ESPNsoccernet. This is Nitin Sundar, signing off amidst the deluge. Cheers.

1.45pm Andrew Fernando: "The crowd is emptying slowly. What a disappointment for them. Heavy drizzle coming down now. Likely to be the status quo for the next couple of hours."

1.09pm It's sheeting down now. Not looking good, friends.

12.51pm The covers come back on. Dilshan is chuffed - he doesn't want a wet pitch, considering he may be facing soon. This is beyond frustration. This is.. I am out of words. Rain stops play again, meanwhile here is Andrew Fernando's lunch bulletin.

Drizzle is back on.

Herath, searching for a five-for

Benn's feet are atleast two and a half feet apart as he takes guard.

We are back! And the rains are gone, so are the covers. Lakmal has the ball and we are back live. Play! 12.40 to 3.10 and 3.30 to 5.45. If the weather permits.

12.12pm While the players take lunch, Andrew tells us the rain has stopped and the covers are being peeled off. The clouds are hovering around, but things look better than they did a while back.

12.03pm Early lunch being taken in Pallekele as the weather continues to dominate proceedings.

11.52am In rain terms, this is not Twenty20 stuff, but the slow grind of a Test match. It is dripping down like Chinese torture as opposed to bucketing down in big sheets. The covers remain on and the setting looks gloomy. Andrew Fernando is glum and distraught in Pallekele. There's another sport that doesn't quite stop for rain; Head over to ESPNsoccernet to get all the Premier League action on Saturday, and another two games later on Sunday.

11.13am Oops, it is a water break yes, but of a different kind. The heavens have opened in a small way and the covers are out. Rain has stopped play. Even Benn's entertaining methods has not kept the rain at bay. They have no taste, these rain gods. Meanwhile Dilshan signs autographs for the milling kids who have come faithfully on each day to watch the sparse action. Not too many clouds around, it's just a drizzle for now, but Russel Arnold assures us on air, with his imitable nasal drawl, that more clouds are on the way.

Manish: "Why I'm stilll following this match?" To see Benn's uber-entertaining innings. What would you rather watch? Another boring plodding ton from Alastair Cook? Give me a break.

Talking of breaks, the players take drinks in Pallekele. If you're as enthused about Benn's batting as me, or if you're impressed with India's dominance in Baroda, or worried with Australia's slump in the Ashes, head over to our Facebook page and let us know.

Ravindra Pushpakumara, the one time Waqar Younis clone is watching the action from the stands. Herath continues. Not sure why the new ball was taken.