Sri Lanka ‘A’ face an uphill task against Ireland ‘A’

Ireland ‘A’ (Ireland Wolves) extended their dominance over hosts Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the 2nd day’s play of the 2nd Unofficial Test which is being played at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. The home team ended the day with a massive 409 runs behind the visitors.

Lockran Tucker and Neil Rock resumed their unbeaten 88-run stand this morning taking their team score past 300 and also bringing up the century stand between them. With Tucker inching towards a well-deserved century, Sri Lanka ‘A’ skipper Ashan Priyanjan trapped him LBW, with his part time off spin, to provide Sri Lanka with the much needed breakthrough.

Ireland Wolves find their mojo against Sri Lanka ‘A’

Following Tucker’s dismissal for 80 runs Rock too perished for 85 missing out on a century. It was Lasith Embuldeniya’s 2nd wicket which also broke the 46-run stand between Rock and Mark Adair. Chamika Karunaratne then dismissed Adair in the very next over leaving Ireland 367/7, just 7 overs before lunch.

Number 9 batsman James Cameron-Dow and 18-year old Jonathan Garth then started to put Sri Lanka under tremendous pressure. The duo took their team to lunch with 3 wickets in hand and continued to bat 20 more overs even after the break. The pair added 108 frustrating runs before Garth was dismissed by Embuldeniya.

Garth had scored 45 runs and Ireland were on 475/8 when he got out. After batting for a few more overs the Irish declared their innings and let the hosts start their 1st innings with just 4 overs before the tea break.

Cameron-Dow remained unbeaten on 76 facing 95 deliveries which included 10 boundaries and a six. The Irish 1st innings score read 508/8.

The Sri Lankan bowling looked mediocre. Lasith Embuldeniya and Chamika Karunaratne were quite successful with 3 wickets each while Mohamed Shiraz and Ashan Priyanjan chipped in with 1 wicket each. Returning Tharindu Kaushal ended with disappointing figures as he went for 85 runs in 20 wicket-less overs.

Trailing by a mammoth 508 and with just 4 overs before a break, Sri Lanka started in the worst way they could have dreamt of. Star batsman Pathum Nissanka was undone by seamer Craig Young, a bowler with 13 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Ireland.

Sri Lanka cap Avishka Fernando was dismissed soon after tea, also by Young. Sri Lanka were reeling at 18/2 when Captain Ashan Priyanjan was joined by his deputy Angelo Perera. Seeing off the Irish seam threat cautiously the experienced pair gradually pulled Sri Lanka out of danger.

Angelo Perera went on to reach a well-constructed half century in 62 balls with 7 boundaries. It was just the following delivery, Sri Lanka once again were put on the back seat as the 18-year old Garth dismissed Ashan Priyanjan for 27 runs.  Play too was stopped due to bad light with that prize wicket for the Irish.

Sri Lanka will start day 3, trailing by 409 runs with Angelo Perera on the crease unbeaten on 50. He is expected to be joined by youth sensation Kamindu Mendis.

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