Ton happy Sri Lanka reduce Ireland to first Test horror – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)
Four centuries, and timely form reversal piloted Sri Lanka to a convincing innings win against Ireland in the first Test, giving the home team some welcome recuperation after a painful and forgettable tour to New Zealand.
Bullied and humiliated by a half strength Kiwi side in all formats, Sri Lanka returned home to let the visiting Irish know what it feels like to be at the receiving end of superior opposition.
Sri Lanka’s batting dilemmas were firmly put behind them for once, and with spinning sensation Prabath Jayasuriya and Vishwa Fernando exploiting the treacherous track, they bamboozled the Irish batting to win in a canter as the tourists plummeted to a embarrassing innings defeat.
Ireland, on their maiden Test tour to the Island, were smashed to all parts of the Galle International Stadium as the Sri Lankan batters showed no mercy amassing 591 for 6 declared off just 131 overs.
Ireland coach Heinrich Malan is experiencing a baptism of fire in unknown conditions and his professional challenge will be to find a quick retaliation for his team’s mental and physical scarring.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne led the run fest smashing 179 with 15 fours, Kusal Mendis 140 18 fours and i six, Dinesh Chandimal 102 not out, and recalled Sadeera Samarawickrema 104 not out, his maiden Test century, as the hosts exposed the visitors lack of experience on a tricky wicket that has been the bane of the best teams in the world.
If the pain inflicted by the batters was not bad enough, the Lankan bowlers then made heavy inroads into Ireland’s batting, reducing them to 117 for 7 by the close of the second day making the outcome ominous.
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya grabbed 7 for 52 off 23 overs after paceman Vushwa Fernando made early penetration, and all signs that pointed to a horror opening Test for the visitors was delivered on cue. Prabath Jayasuriya’s 10 wicket haul in the game gave him a milestone to remember while Ramesh Mendis grabbed three to seal Ireland’s fate.
Ireland stumbled to 143 all out in their first dig, thanks to defiant efforts from Lorcan Tucker, 45 off 73 balls, and Harry Tector, 34 off 59 balls with a six and 2 fours while the rest apart from Peter Moor failing to reach double figures. At 5 for 43 at lunch in their fight to save the Test, the writing was on the wall for the Irish. The end was inevitable inside three days.
They did better to make 168 all out handing the hosts a flattering innings win. But the signs are on the wall of a better performance in game two.
Unable to counter the Sri Lankan bowling, the shell shocked Irish batters were unable to recover, as their tormentors of the first innings returned to mesmerise them again and they folded without fight.
The talented Irish are the babe’s of the Test arena and quite understandably the experience in Sr Lanka will give them an important lesson on how to deal with sub continental conditions.
Sri Lanka’s declaration was perfectly timed giving their bowlers enough rest to complete their demolition job on a wicket that deterioriated to bowler friendly conditions into the latter part, and giving their spinners assistance to finish off the tourists.
Local knowledge has helped the home team grab the advantage but Ireland are capable of bouncing back in the second Test at the same venue. How much knowledge they have gained from the initial experience will be key to their counter.
With three days left to play, Sri Lanka needed to focus on finishing the job quickly and effectively. They did this with aplomb reigniting hope for the future for a team desperately looking for a winning culture.
While Malan scratches his head for answers, his nemesis Chris Silverwood will be breathing a sigh of relief at a reversal of fortunes after a disastrous New Zealand experience.
Onwards and upwards will be Sri Lanka’s dream. And they certainly have the talent to deliver just that with determination and consistency. But the Irish experience will certainly not be the benchmark.
