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SL vs IRE | Karunaratne, Mendis Hammer Tons as Sri Lanka Pile Up Runs on Day 1


image-lgjeluqbKusal Mendis plays a shot on Day 1 against Ireland (Twitter: ICC)

Sri Lanka mounted runs in heap to finish the opening day of their first Test against Ireland in Galle. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and number three Kusal Mendis hammered big tons and the two were involved in a 281-run stand before the Irishmen fought back with late wickets.

The Test match marks an historic occasion for Ireland cricket, as they are playing their first ever match against Sri Lanka, and in Sri Lanka. Notably, the two-match series also marks their first ever consisting of more than a single match.

Ireland impress with late wickets on opening day

Playing their first ever match against Test giants Sri Lanka, the Irish team fought back late in the day with three quick wickets. After left-arm spinner George Dockrell broke the 281-run partnership between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis; Angelo Mathews was dismissed for a three-ball duck by Ben White.

Captain Karunaratne walked back to the pavilion a while later, just about when he was building momentum towards an artistic double ton. The opening batter struck 15 boundaries off the 235 deliveries he faced in the innings, as he registered his Test century number 15 with his 179-run knock.

Dinesh Chandimal and Prabath Jayasuriya saw off the remaining few overs of the day, and the two will resume Sri Lanka’s innings on Day 2 at 386-4.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 386-4 (88)
Dimuth Karunaratne 179 (235), Kusal Mendis 140 (193)
Curtis Campher 1-44, George Dockrell 1-65

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first