The Ireland team led by Andy Balbirnie piled up a challenging first innings total of 492 while Sri Lanka were 81 for no loss after the second day's play of the second Test when bad weather halted play at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
This was Ireland's highest Test team total which included two centuries and two half centuries. During the two innings of the first Test at the same venue last week, none of the Irish batsmen were unable to reach fifty but their plan for this Test was remarkably executed to have a good innings and create a challenge for the Sri Lankan side.
The Irish resumed day two at their overnight 319 for 4 wickets and had a very positive batting approach to build up the innings. At lunch, they were 399 for six wickets with Paul Stirling the replacement of the team who retired hurt after scoring 74 runs on day one with a cramp continuing his blistering form completed a maiden century to dominate the first session. Stirling hit 103 in 181 balls with nine fours and two sixes while Asitha Fernando took his wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva taking a catch at slip. Lorcan Tucker was the first batsman to be dismissed yesterday adding only two runs to his total (80) and he was clean bowled by Vishwa Fernando. His 80 came in 106 balls with ten boundaries.
The 24-year-old South African-born all-rounder Curtis Campher also played a good innings in his third Test as he completed his maiden century coming as the number seven batsman and his knock of 111 in 229 balls with 15 fours and 2 sixes guided Ireland to pass the 450 mark. The Irish team was all out for 492 in 145.3 overs at tea break.
The leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the only successful bowler having a marathon spell of 58.3 overs and ended with 5 for 174 with 13 maiden overs. Two pacemen Asitha Fernando took 2 for 78 in his 22-over spell while his fast bowling partner Vishwa Fernando finished with 2 for 92 in his 24-over spell. Ramesh Mendis the off spinner who took a solitary wicket gave away 108 runs in his 27-over spell.
Sri Lanka openers Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka made a very positive start adding 81 in 18.1 overs when bad light and rain interrupted the game at 4.30 pm with 16 overs to spare.
Madushka remained at 41 in 64 balls with six fours while skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was not out on 39 in 45 balls with 6 fours. The third day of the game will start at 9.45 am today with 98.5 overs to ball until 5.15 pm.
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