Sri Lankan saw a brilliant first innings in the second Test against Ireland with skipper Dimuth Karunaratne having scored his 16th Test century, while Nishan Madushka secured his maiden Test century.
Skipper Karunaratne hit a sublime knock when the hosts were at a score of 185 for the loss of no wickets.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Madushka scored his century at the end of the 48th over, with the hosts securing a total of 224 runs at the time.
The duo sealed a 200-run partnership in the 44th over, shortly after Karunaratne’s ton, however, the skipper was taken out by Curtis Campher for 115 runs, despite him eyeing a very doable 200 runs on the pitch of the Galle International Stadium.
Ireland found the breakthrough just at the stroke of lunch with Karunaratne’s wicket after Matthew Humphreys took out a sharp catch after the Sri Lankan Test captain hit a top edge.
Ireland still have the first innings lead of 264 runs, and are now hoping that the floodgates open with the ball from hereon. Sri Lanka’s batsmen have, however, undoubtedly got off to a splendid start and with Madushka still on the field, it is expected for the other batters to also look to bat the same.
