Ireland won the toss and elected to bat in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium. At the end of day 1 Ireland scored 319 on the loss of 4 wickets. Captain Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling and Loran Tucker hit half-centuries. Lets see how SL vs IRE 2nd Test Day 1 unfolded.
SL vs IRE Day 1 Report
Ireland lost their first wicket early on the score of 12 in the form of Peter Moor. Peter Moor scored 5 before being cleaned up by Asitha Fernando in the 4th over. At the score of 89, the visitors lost their 3 wickets in the first session and the team was looking to go on the back foot. But the 115-run stand between Balbirnie and Paul Stirling for the fourth wicket recovered Irish. Both crushed the Sri Lankan spinner till lunch as the track was not giving a fast turn. The pair get separated by the severe cramp experienced by Paul Stirling. He made 74 off 133 balls, before retiring hurt.
Lorcan Tucker, who hit a century in Mirpur against Bangladesh, also showed determination. He made 78 not out off 102 balls by stumps. With Curtis Campher, he made a crucial unbeaten partnership of 87 runs for the fifth wicket. Campher’s contribution was 27* off 64.
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Prabath Jayasuriya took 2 wickets for 95 from his 32 overs. Asitha Fernando and Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis also delivered good spells and shared a wicket. Ramesh Mendis was missing his line frequently but took the wicket of Balbarnie.
Now the Irish would like to set a big total on the scoreboard against the host. If the visitors score 500 plus, it might be hard for the host to fight back on this pitch. As the match moves on the pitch will help the spinners. So, Sri Lankan bowlers would like to stop the Irish before 450.
All-rounder Paul Stirling returned to the side in place of George Dockrell and injured fast bowler Mark Adair was replaced by Graham Hume. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys earned a Test debut, replacing batsman Murray Commins, who picked up a pair of ducks in the first Test.
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