Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie has fallen 5 in need of a maiden century as his facet racked up a powerful 4-319 on the primary day of their second Test in Sri Lanka.
Balbirnie made 95 in Galle earlier than a misjudged paddle sweep price him his wicket, however as skipper he may have been delighted by his nation’s most completed day of batting of their temporary historical past within the format.
Their greatest whole in 5 earlier Tests was 339 of their inaugural recreation, however that document is nearly sure to fall after a day that noticed Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker make undefeated half-centuries of their very own.
Stirling, who joined after the primary Test, was pressured to retire damage on 74 after being struck down by cramp, however Tucker was unbeaten on 78 because the Irish held pole place at stumps on Monday.
Ireland selected to bat first regardless of being rolled over for 143 and 168 in an innings defeat in opposition to the identical opponents final week, and misplaced each openers cheaply.
Peter Moor, promoted from No. 6, was first to fall when Asitha Fernando had him lbw for 5 in his second over and James McCollum nicked a pointy turner from Prabath Jayasuriya for 10.
It wasa promising begin for a Sri Lankan facet hoping to chalk up their one hundredth Test win of their 311th Test.
Balbirnie ignored the scoreboard strain as he peeled off a 44-ball fifty, with eight boundaries alongside the best way, however Harry Tector thrashed Jayasuriya to mid-on to depart Ireland 3-89.
Stirling confirmed no concern as he planted his third supply for six and went on to take the aggressor function from his captain. Their stand of 115 – Ireland’s largest in Test cricket up to now – included simply 37 from Balbirnie.
They had been solely parted when Stirling’s lack of acclimatisation time appeared to get the higher of him. He tumbled to flooring after dealing with as much as Fernando and acquired remedy earlier than deciding he was in no state to proceed.
Balbirnie went after miscuing a paddle sweep to slide however Tucker and Curtis Campher added 87 earlier than the shut.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
