After playing two ODIs in Ireland, the Sri Lanka team will arrive in England for a Test match and a full one-day series. PHOTO: AFP
DUBLIN:
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews expects his side to improve quickly once they get used to conditions in the British Isles.
Speaking after what proved to be a comfortable 79-run victory over Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday, in the first of two ODIs, Mathews admitted it was a sluggish start but was encouraged by the performance.
“The guys were a bit scrappy today [Tuesday] but to get over the line was a good effort,” he said. “It’s only the start of the tour and when we adapt to the conditions we will perform better.”
As expected, spinners proved to be Sri Lanka’s match winners and Mathews always thought their total of 219 for eight would be enough.
“I was not really bothered at halfway. I knew I had the bowlers to defend the total.
“(Ajantha) Mendis bowled some really good balls as did (Sachithra) Senanayake.”
The helpful early conditions for the bowlers left Sri Lanka at 95 for five after 30 overs, with Middlesex’s Tim Murtagh the pick of the Ireland attack.
But Nuwan Kulasekara finished strongly; scoring 42 not out from 34 with three fours and the only two sixes of the innings and, crucially, shared an unbroken stand of 43 in just 22 balls with Mendis.
Porterfield rues quick loss of wickets
Ireland captain William Porterfield gave much of the credit for his side’s struggles to Mendis but said that some of the wickets lost were avoidable.
“Mendis was always going to be a threat on that pitch,” said Portfield. “But the run out of Gary Wilson set us back and Kevin O’Brien’s dismissal put us on the back foot. Then subsequent loss of four wickets killed us.”
Those wickets fell in 29 balls as Ireland slumped from 63 for two to 74 for six, effectively ending the game as a contest; Ireland were bowled out inside 40 overs for 140 with Mendis finishing with three for 27.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2014.
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