New Zealand, in a match already reduced by rain to 21 overs per side, were well-placed at 97 for two from 13.4 overs chasing a revised target of 140, when the umpires finally called a halt.

The result saw both sides awarded three points each for a no-result and left New Zealand top of the table after their tournament opener against England at Old Trafford on Thursday was washed out without a ball being bowled.

"There is nothing you can do," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming told reporters.

"Only one team (New Zealand) would have won. We're disappointed not to get all the points but we got more cricket than we thought.

"It wasn't an easy game but we were on the right side for most of it."

West Indies captain Brian Lara, whose rapid 36 at least gave the crowd some entertainment, admitted: "New Zealand were well set to win before the rain saved us. Batting wise it was very tough."

But of his own 22-ball innings, featuring one six and four fours, left-hander Lara modestly added: "You have to try something."

Hamish Marshall, 24 not out, and Scott Styris, 26 not, out were both in form when play ended at 1820GMT with their team needing 43 runs off 44 balls.

The duo shared an unbroken stand of 47 in 41 balls.

Earlier Lara's innings steered the West Indies to 122 for four after they had stumbled to 59 for three.

He took 23 runs off the penultimate over from Jacob Oram before he was out hit wicket trying to play another audacious stroke off Chris Cairns.

That over featured four successive fours and a six. Going right across his stumps the left-hander struck three legside fours, the last an outrageous flick to fine leg.

Lara then carved Oram for four and then sent him for six over cover before taking a single to lighten the gloom.

Together with Ramnaresh Sarwan (18 not out) he put on 56 in 29 balls.

The first over of New Zealand's innings, bowled by Ravi Rampaul, cost 18 runs with four wides and two no-balls plus a six and a four from Fleming.

But on 12 left-hander Fleming was brilliantly caught by a diving Ricardo Powell at backward point off Jermaine Lawson, New Zealand 20 for one.

But West Indies' out-fielding was sloppy throughout.

With the Kiwis needing 46 runs to win off 48 balls, Lara gambled by recalling 19-year-old quick Rampaul despite his poor first over.

But after bowling four more balls the sight of him stumbling in his run-up to the crease on a sodden outfield persuaded the umpires to call off the game.

Even if conditions had relented, play could not have continued as this last stoppage signalled the end of the game under tournament rules.

Rain had already reduced the match to 35 overs per side when a fresh downpour at 1408GMT forced the players off the field with the West Indies 39 without loss.