Ireland’s record stand of 115 between captain Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling powered them to 319/4 at stumps on Day I of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
The batters were largely untroubled by the home bowlers on a flat track and piled up runs, leaving Sri Lanka under pressure as they look for their 100th Test win. The Sri Lankans were a little sloppy with the ball too.
The partnership was threatening to grow and both Balbirnie and Stirling were en route to their maiden centuries before the latter was helped off the field following a cramp. He was then on 74 with three sixes and six boundaries before he stumbled to the ground in the third over after tea, holding his right leg.
The visitors went to lunch at 106/3 and added 93 during the second session to reach 199/3 at tea on Monday. Balbirnie anchored the innings masterfully under hot and humid conditions for over four-and-a-half hours and fell five runs short of a maiden ton.
Looking for a paddle sweep off Ramesh Mendis, the ball took an edge off the back of the bat with Dhananjaya de Silva at slip grabbing a simple chance. The Irish skipper reached his third half-century, hitting 10 boundaries. He added four more before taking the walk back to the pavilion.
Lorcan Tucker survived on 36 and remained unbeaten on 78 with Curtis Campher on 27 at stumps.
Brief scores: Ireland 319/4(A. Balbirnie 95, L. Tucker 78 batting, P. Stirling 74 retd. hurt) vs Sri Lanka. At stumps, Day I.
