Sri Lanka’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne performs a shot through the first-day play of the primary cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Ireland on the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on April 16, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis scored centuries and shared a report partnership for the second wicket to give Sri Lanka an imposing 386-4 at stumps on the opening day of the primary cricket check towards Ireland on Sunday.
Having gained the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka received off to a good begin with Karunaratne sharing 64 runs for the opening wicket with Nishan Madushka (29).
Madushka edged a supply from Curtis Campher that lower away from the right-hander for a catch to wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker.
Mendis joined Karunaratne at No. 3 and the pair shared 281 runs for the second wicket, the best partnership for any wicket at Galle after surpassing 267 runs scored for the fifth wicket by Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh 10 years in the past.
Karunaratne reached his fifteenth check century enjoying in his eighty fifth match. He confronted 235 balls and hit 15 boundaries for his 179 runs. Mendis reached his eighth check century however was out for 140, trapped lbw by left-arm spinner George Dockrell.
Mendis confronted 193 deliveries and hit 18 boundaries and a six in his knock.
“This is a different pitch from the previous games, it is a good pitch,” mentioned Mendis. “It will be good if we can score 400, 500 runs, that kind a target will be good going ahead.”
Mendis added that he was comfortable to lastly rating a century after going with out for 12 video games.
“For some time the team got only 50s from me and I missed converting them into centuries. I am pleased that I was able to give my team what was needed when a wicket had fallen.”
Angelo Mathews was out with out scoring in simply three balls after getting caught behind by Tucker attempting to chase a brief and vast supply from leg spinner Ben White, leaving Sri Lanka at 348-3.
Seamer Mark Adair lastly accounted for Karunaratne with the second new ball and the rating 373, once more caught behind by Tucker.
At the shut of play Dinesh Chandimal was batting on 18 with evening watchman Prabath Jayasuriya on 12.
