Colombo, Aug. 6 (PTI): Led by half-centuries from skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Sylvester Joseph, the West Indies put up an improved batting performance against Sri Lanka in the Indian Oil Cup tri-series cricket one-day international here today.

The second string Caribbean side came up with their best display of the series to post a competitive 226 for seven in their penultimate league match at the Premadasa stadium.

Chanderpaul, opening the innings, provided that solidity to the top order which had been missing in the previous matches with a brisk 57 that contained eight fours and came from 79 balls.

Joseph followed the captain's example with a well paced 58 off 92 balls and added 72 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a big score.

But both Chanderpaul and Joseph fell to some unimaginative cricket after notching up a good score.

The left-handed Chanderpual chose to drive at a widish delivery from leg spinner Upul Chandana, and ended up with an outside edge to short third man while Joseph was needlessly run out.

The team, without many of the senior players who were locked in a battle with their cricket board over a contract dispute, began to lose its direction after the fall of Joseph.

At 152 for two and 14 overs remaining, the Windies could have tightened the screws but two wickets for 13 runs let the Lankans off the hook.

Omari Banks (33) came up with a valuable cameo knock towards the end to push the total past 200-mark.