| 0.0 :  TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Ireland. They have elected to BAT first. |
| Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that they will bat first and the plan is to put a score on the board. Adds that the group stages were high pressure cricket but to qualify gives them a lot of confidence. On Sri Lankan spinners, says that they have been lucky playing Afghanistan in recent times who also have quality spin attack. Mentions that this ground has been good to them. Informs they are unchanged. |
| Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that they would have bowled first as well. Informs that Pathum Nissanka has been struggling with his groin injury and is being rested for this game. Tells those front boundaries are over 80 metres and square boundaries are short, so they need to take that into consideration. |
| Ireland (Unchanged Playing XI) - Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara (In place of Pathum Nissanka), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando. |
| It is for the national anthems now! A proud moment for the players from both sides and we will start with the Irish national anthem first. It will be followed by the Lankan national anthem. |
| We are all ready for the cricketing action to begin now! The Sri Lankan players are out there in the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie are the openers for Ireland. Binura Fernando to start with the ball. Here we go... |
| 0.5 : Binura Fernando to Andy Balbirnie, Binura Fernando follows the batter well and serves this on a length, on leg, angling in, Andy Balbirnie makes room and knocks it towards cover for a run and gets off the mark. |
| 0.6 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, Goes fuller this time, on off, Paul Stirling opens the face of his bat and guides it towards point. Only two runs from the first over then. |
| Lahiru Kumara to start from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Andy Balbirnie, OUT! TIMBER! Lahiru Kumara strikes on his very first ball and draws first blood! An early breakthrough for Sri Lanka which will give them confidence. Kumara begins with a full delivery, on middle, Andy Balbirnie tries to be cheeky and goes for the scoop shot, but gets beaten by the pace and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. There was no need of that shot at this stage of the match and Irish skipper has to go back. Ireland lose their first wicke |
| Lorcan Tucker is the next man in. |
| 1.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, Lahiru Kumara serves a length delivery now, this is outside off and Tucker drives it firmly but straight to mid off. |
| 1.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, FOUR! Lorcan Tucker is underway with a boundary! What a confident shot! Short and wide outside off. Tucker stays back and cuts it over the point fielder for a boundary. |
| 1.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller one and around off, Lorcan Tucker drives it firmly but finds the fielder at cover. |
| 1.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, On a length and on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker tucks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 1.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Paul Stirling, This is pitched up, on off, Paul Stirling loses his grip while playing the drive and the ball goes uppishly through extra cover for a run. |
| 2.1 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, FOUR! Up and over! Binura Fernando bowls this full and on off, Paul Stirling makes room and takes a couple of steps down the track to crunch it over cover-point for a boundary. |
| 2.2 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, A slower one now, on a a length and on leg, Paul Stirling works it through square leg for a single. |
| 2.3 : Binura Fernando to Lorcan Tucker, WIDE! Binura Fernando loses his line a bit and bowls a good-length delivery but down the leg side, Tucker misses his flick. Wided. |
| Binura Fernando to Lorcan Tucker, Touch fuller and on the pads, Lorcan Tucker helps it towards short fine leg. |
| 2.4 : Binura Fernando to Lorcan Tucker, Just over! Binura Fernando bowls this on a good length and on middle. Lorcan Tucker goes for the scoop but hits it with the top half of the bat and the ball goes in the air behind short fine leg, Binura Fernando there tries to run back and dives but cannot reach it. Three runs taken! |
| 2.5 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, Slower again and on length, outside off, Paul Stirling dabs it towards short third man. |
| 2.6 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, Length again and on leg, Paul Stirling knocks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 3.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara lands this short and on middle, Paul Stirling gets hurried and mistimes his pull shot wide of mid on for a single. |
| 3.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, This is on a good length and on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker attempts the ramp shot again but fails to connect. |
| 3.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Lorcan Tucker, Full and on off, Lorcan Tucker uses his feet and drills it towards mid off for a quick single. |
| 3.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Paul Stirling, Swing and a miss! Lahiru Kumara serves this full and on the fifth stump line, Paul Stirling makes room and tries to clear the in-field on the off side but misses. |
| 3.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Paul Stirling, This is almost on a yorker length and on off, Paul Stirling digs it out towards point. |
| 3.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Paul Stirling, FOUR! Powered away! Lahiru Kumara tries for the yorker again but bowls this full, on off, Paul Stirling stays there and smashes it past mid off for a boundary. |
| Time for some spin now. Maheesh Theekshana is into the attack. |
| 4.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Lorcan Tucker, Maheesh Theekshana starts with a flatter delivery, on middle, Lorcan Tucker tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 4.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Paul Stirling, Quicker one, full toss and on leg, Paul Stirling misses his sweep and the keeper lets it through too. A bye is taken. |
| 4.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Lorcan Tucker, Tossed up and around middle, Lorcan Tucker moves across and sweeps it towards short fine leg. |
| 4.4 : Harry Tector walks out to the middle now. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Lorcan Tucker, OUT! TIMBER! Maheesh Theekshana gets his first wicket of the match and Sri Lanka are on top now! He bowls this quicker, short and on middle, Lorcan Tucker shuffles across to play the sweep but misses and the ball deflects off his gloves onto the stumps. Another ordinary shot and Tucker goes for a cheap score. Ireland two down now! |
| 4.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, Maheesh Theekshana with a carrom ball now. It is outside off and Tector gets beaten on the outside edge as he looks to defend it. |
| 4.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, Another dot to end the over! Top-class over from a top-class bowler. This one is on the fullish length, outside off and Tector drives it to covers. |
| 5.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Starts off with a length delivery, on middle. Paul Stirling skips down the track and punches it straight to the point fielder. |
| 0.4 : Chamika Karunaratne comes into the attack now. |
| 5.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, FOUR! This time he hammers it away! A slower delivery and a half-volley on middle. Paul Stirling waits for it and powers it down the ground for a boundary. |
| 5.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, SIX! Paul Stirling has decided to take on Chamika Karunaratne here! Shortish delivery on middle. Paul Stirling makes room and cuts it over the point fence for a maximum. |
| 5.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Overcompensates and bowls a full toss on the pads. Paul Stirling flicks it to fine leg for a single. |
| 5.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, In the air...but safe! A fullish slower delivery on middle. Tector is bit early in his push and does so aerially and right of the bowler. Chamika Karunaratne does not get his hand to it and a single is taken as the ball rolls towards mid on. |
| 5.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, An overpitched delivery on off. Paul Stirling drives it firmly to deep extra-cover for a couple. Ireland are 40 for 2 after the Powerplay! |
| 0.1 : Binura Fernando to Paul Stirling, Ireland and Paul Stirling are underway! Binura Fernando starts with a pitched up delivery, on middle, swinging in, Paul Stirling strokes it towards mid on for a single. |
| 0.2 : Binura Fernando to Andy Balbirnie, Full again and on off, Andy Balbirnie drives it straight to mid off. |
| 0.3 : Binura Fernando to Andy Balbirnie, Binura Fernando pulls his length back a bit and bowls this on off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it towards cover. |
| 0.4 : Binura Fernando to Andy Balbirnie, This is on a good length and around leg, Andy Balbirnie looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 5.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga has been introduced into the attack. |
| 6.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, The leg-spinner starts with a shortish delivery on off. Tector reverse paddles it wide of short third man for a couple. |
| 6.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Short and wide outside off. Tector cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 6.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Paul Stirling, A flatter one on off. Paul Stirling goes deep in his crease and works it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 6.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Wanindu Hasaranga continues to be tad short, on middle and Tector clips it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 6.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Paul Stirling, Bowls it quicker and on off. Paul Stirling punches it to sweeper cover for an easy single. |
| 6.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Googly this time. A fullish length as well on middle and Tector nudges it towards the leg side. 6 from the first over of Wanindu Hasaranga! |
| 7.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Beats the outside edge! Back of a length and around off. Paul Stirling tries to guide it towards third man but misses. |
| 7.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Big appeal from the bowler but turn down! Back of a length on off. Paul Stirling goes deep in his crease and tries to heave it towards the leg side. He misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for an LBW but it is too high and no damage done in the end. |
| 7.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara drops a catch now! A fullish delivery on middle. Paul Stirling tries to launch it down the ground. However, he gets only the bottom of his blade and the ball goes aerially towards left of long on. Kumara runs and covers good ground, reaches the ball, gets his fingertip to it but fails to grab it. Single taken. Costly miss this. |
| 7.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, A fullish delivery on middle. Tector drives it to long on for a single. |
| 7.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Paul Stirling, Back of a length and outside off. Paul Stirling cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 7.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, Single to end the over and 50 up for Ireland. On a length and outside off. Tector steers it towards third man for a single. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva replaces Wanindu Hasaranga. |
| 8.1 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Shortish delivery on off. Tector punches it to cover-point. |
| 8.2 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Angling into middle this time. Tector clips it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 8.3 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Paul Stirling, FOUR! Finds the gap! Dhananjaya de Silva bowls it short and on middle. Paul Stirling pulls it aerially but in the gap towards the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| 8.4 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Paul Stirling, OUT! CAUGHT! Paul Stirling departs and this time a brilliant catch by Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the deep! This is a fullish delivery on middle. Paul Stirling makes room and drives it aerially to go inside out towards extra cover fence. However, he hits it a bit straightish and Bhanuka Rajapaksa at long off runs to his left, covers good ground and slides to take a fantastic catch in the end. Big wicket and Ireland lose their third now. |
| Curtis Campher walks out to bat now. |
| 8.5 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Curtis Campher, Tosses up on off. Curtis Campher works it to long on for a single. |
| 8.6 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Another fullish delivery on middle. Harry Tector drives it along the ground to long on for a single. |
| 9.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, A fullish delivery on off. Tector shimmies down the track and drives it firmly to mid off. |
| 9.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, Back of a length, around off. Tector moves across to his right and works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 9.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Curtis Campher, Back of a length and around off. Curtis Campher cuts it to the point fielder. |
| 9.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Curtis Campher, On a length, on middle. Curtis Campher works it to long on for a single. |
| 9.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, Bowls a fullish delivery on middle. Tector clips it to wide long on for a single. |
| 9.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Curtis Campher, OUT! CAUGHT! Chamika Karunaratne strikes and the in-form Curtis Campher departs now. This is a big blow to Ireland and Chamika Karunaratne is absolutely pumped. Shortish delivery, around off. However, the key is that it is an off-pace delivery and Curtis Campher waits for it a bit and then cuts it uppishly to the left of the point fielder. Charith Asalanka there takes a sharp catch and Ireland are in trouble now. |
| 10.1 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Tector drills it wide of long on for a brace. |
| 10.2 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Floated, full and on middle, Harry Tector goes down and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break! Sri Lanka are on top at the halfway mark! They have bowled really well and a couple of ordinary shots from the Irish batters also helped them. They will want to get to the tail of Ireland quickly and restrict them to a low total. On the other hand, Ireland need a partnership to stay in the game. An exciting session of cricket awaits us as George Dockrell walks out to the middle now. |
| 10.3 : Dhananjaya de Silva to George Dockrell, Flighted delivery, full and on middle, George Dockrell eases it towards long on for a run and gets off the mark. |
| 10.4 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Flatter, full and on middle, Harry Tector looks to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat early and gets a leading edge towards point. |
| 10.5 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Tector, Short and on middle, Harry Tector moves back and pulls it towards the right of deep mid-wicket where the fielder extends his hand and makes a one-handed stop. Only a single. |
| 10.6 : Dhananjaya de Silva to George Dockrell, Looped up, full and on middle, George Dockrell chips it down to long on for one. |
| 11.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to George Dockrell, On a length and on off, George Dockrell punches it straight to short cover. |
| 11.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to George Dockrell, Overthrows! This is on a good length and on off, George Dockrell dabs it towards point and sets off for a run but he is sent back. The fielder has a shy at the batter's end but misses and gives away an extra run. |
| 11.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, FOUR! Good shot! Chamika Karunaratne bowls this a touch fuller and on off, Harry Tector skips down the track and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 11.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, A slower one now, on length and on middle, Harry Tector flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 11.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to George Dockrell, Goes fuller and on leg, George Dockrell tucks it towards deep square leg for one more. |
| 11.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Harry Tector, This is on a length and on leg, angling in, Harry Tector uses his feet and works it through square leg for another run. |
| 12.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, Floated, full and on leg, angling in, Harry Tector clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Tossed up, full and on off, George Dockrell drives it uppishly past cover for a run. |
| 12.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, A low full toss, on off, Harry Tector drives it towards long off for one. |
| 12.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Slower through the air, on leg, George Dockrell moves back and works it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 12.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, Quicker, full and on off, Harry Tector drills it towards the left of cover where the fielder dives to that side to stop the single. |
| 12.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, A bit short and on middle, Harry Tector goes on his back foot and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another run. |
| 13.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, SIX! BANG! Harry Tector sends this one out of the ground! This is short and on middle, Harry Tector moves back quickly and pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 13.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Short again and on off, Harry Tector cuts it towards sweeper cover where the fielder fumbles a bit and allows the second run. |
| 0.0 : Wanindu Hasaranga is back into the attack now. He has bowled only one over so far and these three overs from him will be crucial in the context of this game. |
| 13.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Tossed up, full and on middle, Harry Tector tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to George Dockrell, Floated, short and on off, George Dockrell punches it through cover for another run. |
| 13.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Harry Tector eases it towards long on for a one. |
| 13.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to George Dockrell, Tossed up, full and on leg, George Dockrell drives it towards long on for one more. 12 runs from the over! |
| 14.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Short and on middle, George Dockrell pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 14.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, FOUR! Innovative and effective! Maheesh Theekshana floats this one up, on middle, Harry Tector makes it a full toss and reverse sweeps it past short third man for a boundary. |
| 14.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, A googly now, full and on middle, Harry Tector drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 14.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Shorter in length and on middle, George Dockrell pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 14.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, Shortish again and on off, Harry Tector slaps it down to long on for one. |
| 14.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Quicker one, almost on a yorker length, on middle, George Dockrell looks to go for the sweep but adjust and works it through mid-wicekt for a single. 100 up for Ireland! |
| 15.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to George Dockrell, A fullish delivery angling into leg. George Dockrell makes room and pushes it bit aerially to long on for a single. |
| 15.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Tad shorter and flatter on off. Tector punches it to covers. |
| 15.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, This is short and on middle. Tector pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 15.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to George Dockrell, Touch fuller but still on the shortish side, on middle. George Dockrell goes deep in his crease and punches it to long on for a single. |
| 15.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Tossed up and fuller, outside off. Tector drives it to the cover fielder. |
| 15.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, Single to end the over and Wanindu Hasaranga still remains wicketless. Shortish delivery, outside off. Tector cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. Just 4 from the over though. Can Ireland reach something around 150 from here? |
| 16.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, A flatter one on middle. Tector makes room and drills it to long on for a single. |
| 16.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, Touch short and on middle. George Dockrell makes room and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, DOT! This is a flatter one, around leg. Tector makes room and punches it to extra cover. |
| 16.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Harry Tector, A flatter one on off. Tector reverse-sweeps it to backward point for a single. |
| 16.5 : Gareth Delany comes out to the middle now. |
| 16.6 : Binura Fernando (2-0-12-0)Â is back on. |
| 16.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, OUT! BOWLED! Maheesh Theekshana strikes and gets his second wicket! Runs were not coming at a quick rate and George Dockrell tries to force the issue but pays the price. This is a fullish and quicker delivery on middle. George Dockrell makes room and tries to launch it down the ground. He, however, misses it and the ball knocks over the stumps. A timely wicket for the Lankans. |
| 17.1 : Binura Fernando to Gareth Delany, Single to start the over! Back of a length, on off. A slower delivery and Gareth Delany dabs it towards the off side for a single. |
| 16.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Gareth Delany, Ends his spell by bowling a full delivery on off. Gareth Delany drives it to covers for a single. |
| 17.2 : Binura Fernando to Harry Tector, Bowls a yorker on off. Tector somehow manages to dig it out to mid off for a single. |
| 17.3 : Binura Fernando to Gareth Delany, A slower back-of-a-length delivery, around off. Delany tries to cut it but gets an outside edge. Keeper dives to his right to stop it but fails to reach the ball. The fielder at short third man then dives and half-stops it. Two taken. |
| 17.4 : Binura Fernando to Gareth Delany, FOUR! This time a boundary! Back of a length and outside off. Delany swings and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes over the short third man fielder this time for a boundary. |
| 17.5 : Binura Fernando to Gareth Delany, A fullish delivery on middle. Gareth Delany drills it to long on for a single. |
| 17.6 : Binura Fernando to Harry Tector, OUT! CAUGHT! That's the end of Harry Tector! Good knock from the Irish but it is Sri Lanka who are on top here. This is on a length and around off. It is angled across the batter and slower in pace as well. Tector dances down the track and looks to power it away. However, he gets no timing on this one and the ball loops up in the air towards mid off. Dasun Shanaka moves to his right and takes an easy catch. |
| Mark Adair is the next man in for Sri Lanka. Also, Wanindu Hasaranga (3-0-22-0) to bowl out now. |
| 18.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Gareth Delany, OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two now for Sri Lanka and Ireland are falling apart here. This one is tossed up on off. Gareth Delany goes for a big slog-sweep but does not get enough power behind this shot. The ball goes aerially towards deep mid-wicket and Chamika Karunaratne in the deep moves to his left and fumbles a bit but but holds onto the catch in the end. |
| 18.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Simi Singh, Shortish and outside off. Snigh tries to cut it but misses. |
| 0.0 : Simi Singh comes out to the middle now. |
| 18.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Simi Singh, Tossed up on middle. Singh clips it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 18.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Adair, OUT! Another one bites the dust! This one is tossed up again and slower through the air, on middle. Mark Adair dances down the track and tries to power it down the ground. However, he does not get the required distance and ends up hitting it straight to long on where Chamika Karunaratne takes a fine catch. |
| 18.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Barry McCarthy, Tossed up again and outside off. Barry McCarthy drives it to cover for a single. |
| 18.4 : Barry McCarthy walks out to bat now. |
| 18.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Simi Singh, Another loopy delivery on off. Singh sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 19.1 : Binura Fernando to Simi Singh, Nails a yorker, outside off. Singh skips down the track and makes room to hit it but fails to get any bat on it. |
| 19.2 : Binura Fernando to Simi Singh, Another dot! Bowls a wide yorker again, Singh advances and tries to dig it out but misses. |
| 19.3 : Binura Fernando to Simi Singh, Tries a yorker again but ends up bowling a full toss on off. Singh only manages to hit it to long on for a single. |
| 19.4 : Binura Fernando to Barry McCarthy, A fullish delivery, outside off. Barry McCarthy drives it to extra-cover and takes a single. |
| 19.5 : Binura Fernando to Simi Singh, FOUR! Much-needed boundary for Ireland! Singh knows that it will be a wide yorker again and he shuffles across to his right to scoop this full delivery over short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 19.6 : Binura Fernando to Simi Singh, Two byes off the final delivery! Back of a length and on middle. Singh gets across to his right and tries to hit it behind square on the leg side. He misses and the ball goes off the bounce to the keeper. The batters try to steal a bye and keeper throws it towards the bowler. He fails to collect it cleanly and the batters then go for the second run. Maheesh Theekshana who comes running in at the bowler's end to collect the throw fails to grab it and two byes |
| A clinical death bowling performance from Lankan bowlers and they absolutely gave nothing away at the end. Ireland have managed to get to 128 runs, but Sri Lanka will be the happier side going into the break. |
| Ireland could not replicate their batting effort which they showed against the Windies. They were pretty ordinary with their shot selection as well and played it into the hands of Sri Lanka. They could not build any partnerships in the middle and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Paul Stirling scored some runs and a hard fought 45 from Harry Tector have taken Ireland to close to that 130-mark. They know that they are 20-25 runs short, but they need to come out to defend with |
| Sri Lanka despite missing their frontline pacers have done really well here to restrict the Irish batters to an under-par score. It was once again their spinners who were key to their performance and the pacers also supported them. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana took a couple of wickets each and every bowler got into the wickets column. They will be confident to chase down this total. |
| ... THE RUN CHASE ... |
| Right then, Ireland have put on below-par score on the board but they know that the Lankan batters are not in great form and if they can get early wickets they can make a game out of this. Sri Lanka just need to bat sensibly and they will get to this total. Let's see how it unfolds. Stay tuned for the second essay. |
| We are back for the chase! |
| Harry Tector is up for a chat. He says that Sri Lanka bowled well and the wicket was also a bit tacky. Tells that they are 20 runs short but adds that these things happen and they need to deal with it. Mentions that they need to bowl on good lengths and adds that slower balls are effective on this pitch as it is a bit tacky. Tells that Lankan spinners bowled well and he is hoping that they can replicate that too. |
| 0.1 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Starts off with a length delivery on middle. Mendis tries to defend it but gets the inside edge to right of square leg for a single. Sri Lanka and Kusal Mendis are underway! |
| 0.2 : Josh Little to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good bouncer on middle. Dhananjaya de Silva is hurried by this short delivery as he tries to pull it. The ball goes off the top edge towards left of short fine leg and a single is taken. |
| 0.3 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Serves it on a good length and around off. It is angled across the batter and Mendis gets beaten on the outside edge as he looks to defend it. |
| 0.4 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, on off. Mendis blocks it from his crease. |
| 0.5 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, A bit fullish delivery on off. Mendis defends again but this time off the outside half of his blade. The ball goes towards point where the fielder stops it with a dive. |
| 0.6 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! First boundary for Kusal Mendis and Sri Lanka! Little goes for a short delivery, around off. Mendis picks the length quickly and pulls it in front of square for a boundary. So, a poor end to a good first over from Josh Little. |
| Mark Adair to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, Shortish delivery, outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva cuts it to deep point for a couple. |
| 1.2 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, on off. Dhananjaya de Silva walks down the pitch and works it wide of short fine leg for a single. |
| 1.3 : Mark Adair to Kusal Mendis, On a length and around off. Mendis guides it left of point for a single. |
| 1.4 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, Angles it into middle and it is tad shorter as well. Dhananjaya de Silva nudges it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 1.5 : Mark Adair to Kusal Mendis, Serves it on a good length, on off. Mendis blocks it off the front foot. |
| 1.6 : Mark Adair to Kusal Mendis, Two more! Adair just like Little did in his first over, bowls a short last delivery. On off and Mendis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 2.1 : Josh Little to Dhananjaya de Silva, Bangs it short on off. Dhananjaya de Silva goes for the pull shot. However, he gets a huge top edge this time. Luckily for him the ball goes over the keeper's head and the fielder at short third man cuts it off with a dive. Two taken. |
| 2.2 : Josh Little to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, on middle. Dhananjaya de Silva works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 2.3 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, SIX! Clever shot! Mendis anticipated the short ball and gets inside the line of the ball to pull this short delivery on off over fine leg for a maximum. |
| 2.4 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and around off. Mendis steers it towards third man for a single. |
| 2.5 : Josh Little to Dhananjaya de Silva, Nicely played but not enough to reach the ropes. Shortish length and around off. Dhananjaya de Silva punches it through covers. The fielder in the ring runs behind it and cuts it off. However, the batters are alert enough to take three here. |
| 2.6 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Keeps it tad short again, on off. Mendis works it to mid-wicket for a single. 14 from the over! |
| Barry McCarthy comes into the attack now. |
| 3.1 : Barry McCarthy to Kusal Mendis, Two more for Lankans and exactly 100 needed now! Back of a length and around off. Mendis plays it carefully and steers it towards deep point for a couple. |
| 3.2 : Barry McCarthy to Kusal Mendis, On a length, on off. Mendis moves across to his right and works it to short fine leg for a single. |
| 3.3 : Barry McCarthy to Dhananjaya de Silva, An appeal for a caught behind but no damage done! Back of a length, on middle. Dhananjaya de Silva tries to pull it but misses. The ball brushes his thigh pad and goes to the keeper. |
| 3.4 : Barry McCarthy to Dhananjaya de Silva, Serves it on a length and around off. Dhananjaya de Silva tries to puch it away but gets beaten again. |
| 3.5 : Barry McCarthy to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, around off. Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it towards short third man and looks for a single but is rightly send back by his partner. |
| 3.6 : Barry McCarthy to Dhananjaya de Silva, SIX! Here comes the release shot and Dhananjaya de Silva has hit it well this time! Shortish length on off. Dhananjaya de Silva stays deep in his crease and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| 4.1 : Mark Adair to Kusal Mendis, On a length, on off. Mendis guides it to short third man and this time a quick single is taken. |
| 4.2 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, Another quick single but direct hit here and Dhananjaya de Silva was gone! A fullish delivery on off. Dhananjaya de Silva drives it to mid off and sets off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. |
| 0.0 : Change of ends for Mark Adair. He conceded 7 runs in his first over. |
| 4.3 : Mark Adair to Kusal Mendis, Lands on a length, around off. Mendis guides it to short third man again for a single. |
| 4.4 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, A short one on off. Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it through the mid-wicket region for a couple. |
| 4.5 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, This time a better short delivery, angling into the body. Dhananjaya de Silva first sets up to guide it towards the off side but then is cramped for room and somehow manages to duck under it. |
| 4.6 : Mark Adair to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! This time he nails the pull shot! This is too predictable from Adair. He bowls a short one again. It sits up nicely and Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it firmly towards the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. |
| Gareth Delany comes into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Gareth Delany starts with a short delivery and on middle, Kusal Mendis flicks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single. |
| 5.2 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short again and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva mistimes his cut towards cover. |
| 5.3 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Just over! Dhananjaya de Silva is living a charmed life. This is a bit short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva goes down and sweeps it just over the leaping short fine leg fielder for a boundary. 50 up for Sri Lanka! |
| 5.4 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, Shortish and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva punches it towards cover. |
| 5.5 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls towards the bowler. |
| 5.6 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, Goes short again and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva cuts it off the back foot but finds the fielder at cover. Sri Lanka are 50 for none at the end of the Powerplay. |
| Curtis Campher is into the attack now. Can he produce something special? |
| 6.1 : Curtis Campher to Kusal Mendis, Curtis Campher starts with a full delivery, on middle, Kusal Mendis knocks it to the leg side. |
| 6.2 : Curtis Campher to Kusal Mendis, A low full toss and on off, Kusal Mendis stays there and drives it past the diving cover fielder for a brace. |
| 6.3 : Curtis Campher to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Curtis Campher serves this full and on off, Kusal Mendis makes a little bit of room and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 6.4 : Curtis Campher to Kusal Mendis, On a length and on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it out. |
| 6.5 : Curtis Campher to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 6.6 : Curtis Campher to Dhananjaya de Silva, Another short delivery, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 7.1 : Simi Singh to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva miscues his shot uppishly towards long off for a single. |
| 7.2 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, A bit short and on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it uppishly but it falls short of the cover-point fielder. |
| 7.3 : Simi Singh to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short again and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva cuts it again but straight to cover-point. |
| 7.4 : Simi Singh to Dhananjaya de Silva, Shorter in length and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva punches it on the bounce towards deep point for a run. |
| 7.5 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, Simi Singh continues bowling short, on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it towards point. |
| 7.6 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, Shorter in length and on off, Kusal Mendis slaps it through point for a run. |
| 8.1 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis eases it towards long on for a single. |
| 8.2 : Gareth Delany to Dhananjaya de Silva, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Gareth Delany provides the much-needed breakthrough and finally Dhananjaya de Silva perishes. Delany bowls this short and outside off, turning away a bit, Dhananjaya de Silva stays there and tries to cut it without any footwork, but gets a thin outside edge and Lorcan Tucker takes a nice catch behind the stumps moving to his right. Sri Lanka lose their first wicket. |
| Charith Asalanka walks out at number 3! |
| 8.3 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up and it is a full toss, outside off. Charith Asalanka drives it through covers for a couple. |
| 8.4 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, A fullish delivery, wider outside off. Charith Asalanka drives it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 8.5 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Floated, full and on off, Kusal Mendis gets to the pitch of it and drives it towards long off for a single. |
| 8.6 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, A googly now, short and on off, turnng away, Charith Asalanka moves back and blocks it to the leg side. |
| 9.1 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Deft touch! Josh Little bowls this on a good length and around off, Kusal Mendis waits for it and guides it very late towards the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 9.2 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Josh Little bangs in a short delivery, on middle, Kusal Mendis goes for the pull but misses and gets hit high on his body. |
| 9.3 : Josh Little to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis strokes it towards the right of mid on and gets across for the single as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. |
| 9.4 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Short of a length and around off, Charith Asalanka pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 9.5 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Josh Little bangs in another bouncer, on middle, Charith Asalanka looks for the pull again but cannot connect. |
| 9.6 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Goes fuller this time, on middle, Charith Asalanka works it towards mid on for a run. Sri Lanka need 54 runs in 60 balls now. |
| 9.2 : Kusal Mendis has been hit near his ribs and the umpires have decided to take a drinks break as Mendis gets some treatment. Sri Lanka though are going along nicely here. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva put together a 63-run opening stand and that means that Ireland need something special from hereon to pull this one off. Mendis is still there in the crease as he looks fine to continue and is joined by Charith Asalanka and we might see them scoring quickly now to clinch a victory as early |
| 10.1 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up way outside off. Charith Asalanka though drags it from there to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.2 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up again on middle. Mendis looks to clip it towards the leg side but gets the inside edge onto his pads. |
| 10.3 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Fires it quicker and tad shorter. However, it is way outside off and Mendis leaves it. |
| Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Tad short and outside off. Mendis cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 10.4 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, George Dockrell drops a sitter! Tossed up on off. Charith Asalanka goes for a slog-sweep but gets a huge top edge. The ball goes aerially towards long on and George Dockrell running forward puts down a straight forward catch. Single taken. |
| 10.5 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Angling it into the pads. Mendis clips it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.6 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! Shortish and outside off. Charith Asalanka leaves it. |
| Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, Loopy delivery, outside off. Charith Asalanka plays an uppish drive towards deep extra-cover and takes a single. Just 47 needed now from 54 balls! |
| 11.1 : Barry McCarthy to Charith Asalanka, Back of a length, on middle. Charith Asalanka dabs it towards the leg side. |
| 0.0 : Barry McCarthy comes back into the attack. He conceded 9 runs in his first over. |
| 11.2 : Barry McCarthy to Charith Asalanka, Direct hit and that would have been gone! On a length, on middle. Charith Asalanka tucks it towards the leg side and sets off for a single. Singh comes running in and has a shy at the batter's end but misses. A single taken. |
| 11.3 : Barry McCarthy to Kusal Mendis, A fullish delivery on off. Mendis makes room and plays an inside out lofted drive towards deep extra cover. Three taken, good running. |
| 11.4 : Barry McCarthy to Charith Asalanka, Back of a length, on off. Charith Asalanka pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 11.5 : Barry McCarthy to Kusal Mendis, Mendis moves across to his right and Barry McCarthy bowls a slower length ball on off. Mendis works it towards the leg side and takes a single. |
| 11.6 : Barry McCarthy to Charith Asalanka, Tries a short delivery again, it is around off. Charith Asalanka pulls it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single. 40 needed now from 48 balls! Sri Lanka need to keep that run-rate in mind, getting these runs quickly can help them latter in this competition. |
| 12.1 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up on off. Charith Asalanka sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.2 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Tad shorter and quicker, around off. Mendis tries to cut it but gets the inside edge that goes through the keeper for a single. |
| 12.3 : Gareth Delany to Charith Asalanka, Short and outside off. Charith Asalanka cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 12.4 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Beautiful placement! Short and wide outside off. Mendis cuts it in the gap between the point and the backward point fielder for a boundary. |
| 12.5 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Fifty for Kusal Mendis! His good run of form continues and this is what Sri Lanka have been expecting from this talented batter for years. Tad shorter and around off. Mendis tries to puch it but gets a thick outside edge that runs away towards the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : Gareth Delany to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, on off. Mendis drives it to the cover fielder this time. |
| 13.1 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Shortish and outside off. Charith Asalanka cuts it to deep backward point for a couple. |
| 13.2 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! A short one but too high and Charith Asalanka lets it go as it is outside off as well. |
| Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, In the air...but safe! A fullish delivery on the pads. Charith Asalanka flicks it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 13.3 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Bangs it short and on off. Charith Asalanka pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 13.4 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, Serves it on a length and angling it into the pads. Charith Asalanka clips it to deep square leg and the batters come back for the second run. |
| 13.5 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Good shot! Only four outside the circle and Charith Asalanka takes full advanatge of it. This is full and outside off. Charith Asalanka slams it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Kusal Mendis with another good knock and Sri Lanka are on the verge of a victory here. |
| 13.6 : Josh Little to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Supreme timing and just 12 needed now! A fullish delivery, outside off. Charith Asalanka drives it off the middle of his blade square off the wicket as the ball runs away towards the point fence. |
| Simi Singh is back on. |
| 14.1 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, SIX! BANG! Mendis has sent this out of the park! Simi Singh bowls this short and outside off, Kusal Mendis goes down and slog-sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Sri Lanka are one hit away from victory now! |
| 14.2 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis looks to finish the game off with another slog-sweep but miscues it badly in the air and it falls safely in the deep mid-wicket region. Only a single. |
| 14.3 : Simi Singh to Charith Asalanka, Short and outside off, Charith Asalanka cuts it past point for a single. |
| 14.4 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, Quicker, full and on off, Kusal Mendis stays there and guides it towards the vacant third man region for a couple of runs. |
| 14.5 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, Short again and on off, Kusal Mendis cuts it hard towards point but the fielder dives to stop it. |
| 14.6 : Simi Singh to Kusal Mendis, SIX! Kusal Mendis finishes things off in style! Simi Singh floats this one up, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis goes down and slog-sweeps it into the crowd over the deep square leg fence. SRI LANKA WIN BY 9 WICKETS WITH 30 BALLS REMAINING. |
| Sri Lanka have delivered a clinical performance here at Hobart! They were favourites coming into this game and they have lived up to that billing. Irish, on the other hand, need to lift their game up if they want to bring down some more fancied teams in this group. |
| Sri Lanka were in the pole position coming into the second half courtesy of a fantastic bowling performance. Their three spinners took five wickets between them and Binura Fernando too was quite good in the death. With the bat, the openers made sure that the Irish were given no room to make their way back in this game as they notched up a 63-run opening stand. Dhananjaya de Silva departed after a brisk knock of 31 but Mendis carried on and got good support from Charith Asalanka as they chased |
| Time for the Presentation. |
| Kusal Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that he is enjoying the moment. Adds that the bowlers did very well to restrict Ireland to low score which allowed him to play his own game. Mentions that the plan was to utilise the Powerplay and to chase the target under 17 overs to improve the NRR. Ends by thanking the Sri Lankan supporters. |
| Ireland would be pretty disappointed with this performance. They decided to bat first after winning the toss despite chasing down a total comfortably against the Windies. In this game though, their batting faltered and apart from Tector and a decent contribution from Stirling at the top of the order no one really got going. They were always behind the 8-ball after that and when they gave away 63 runs before taking the first wicket with the ball, a big loss was just around the corner till then. |
| Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that he is disappointed with the batting effort. Adds that the plan was to put on 160+ but they were well short of that. Credits the Lankan bowlers and says there wasn't much spin but it was enough to challenge the bat. Tells that they need to improve as a batting group. Mentions that Tector is in good form and he is an important player for them. Says that the next game against England will be exciting as they haven't played a T20I against them in 11 |
| Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that he is really happy with the performance. Adds that they knew spin would play a major role. Mentions that Kusal Mendis is playing well and has adjusted according to conditions quickly. Tells that he is pleased with the death bowling and batting in the Powerplay and they need to do that consistently. Ends by thanking the Sri Lankan fans. |
| Right then, that is all we have from the first game of this Super Sunday. It is now time to shift our focus to the second game of the day and it is a big one, India are going up against Pakistan in Melbourne. That game will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). So switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that blockbuster encounter. Cheers! |
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