Second-string Sri Lanka cricket team minus experienced campaigners started their Ireland and England tour with a convincing 79 runs win over the Irishmen in the 1st ODI concluded at Clontarf Cricket grounds, Dublin.
Sri Lankan’s playing international cricket for the first time since the ICC World T20 and the sudden resignation of their coach Paul Fabrace were up against one of the most dangerous Associate nations in their own backyard. Sri Lanka selectors decided to rest Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, TM Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath and Thisara Perera (Visa Issue) for the Ireland leg of the tour.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield won the toss and elected to field first on a chilly (8 Celsius Centigrade) day in Dublin. Irishmen started the game on a high as Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera for a duck in the first over and followed by Vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne for 8. Sri Lankan batsmen certainly struggled to counter the tough conditions on view for batting that one can get to see in Ireland during May. Upul Tharnga was the one batsman who was able to play well, and to an extent counter the alien conditions. Dinesh Chandimal, known for playing shots curbed his natural instincts to play a fine knock as well. Tharanga and Chandimal got their team out of danger as they made 24 and 39 runs respectively before they were dismissed. Skipper Angelo Mathews guided his team with his sensible batting after early downfall with a patient 30 runs in 53 balls.
Sri Lanka’s lower middle order batsmen Nuwan Kulasekara and Ashan Priyanjan made useful knocks to resist the disciplined Ireland bowlers as they made telling contributions of 42* and 31 respectively. Nuwan Kulasekara played his trademark quick-fire inning to lift the Sri Lanka score to 219 for 8 in 50 overs after Sri Lanka were 95 for 5 at one stage. Kulasekara’s 34- ball knock consisted of 3 fours and 2 sixes. Medium pacer Tim Murtagh was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 wickets for 21 runs in a brilliant spell of 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bid to win a 10th consecutive ODI was boosted as hard hitting Paul Stirling and elegant Ed Joyce were dismissed by the new ball bowlers to leave Ireland 5/2 in the fifth over. The Irish then found some hope in the form of William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien. The two batsmen strung a 58-run partnership before O’Brien lost his wicket to the tricky Ajantha Mendis.
That partnership was the only brief corridor of hope for the Irish, who were quite shoddy with the bat. Gary Wilson, Kevin O’Brien and Stuart Thompson followed in quick succession to leave Ireland 74 for 6 down in the 23rd over. Captain William Porterfied departed after making a patient 37 to the bowling of Ajantha Mendis. There was no way of coming back from that sort of a situation for Ireland, who ultimately tumbled out for 140 in the 40th over. Ajantha Mendis and Suranga Lakmal were the chief destroyers of Ireland as both bowlers took 3 wickets each.
Sri Lanka will take on Ireland on 8th May at the same venue for the 2nd and final ODI.
Man of the Match – Ajantha Mendis
Full Scorecard (Stats from Cricket365)
