Mendis, Madushka career-bests put Sri Lanka in control

By Shamseer Jaleel in Galle

Sri Lanka made great strides against a tired-looking Ireland outfit, hitting them around the park to score a massive 704 runs for the loss of 3 wickets on day four of the second Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.  

 Ireland, who scored 491 in their first innings, were 54 for 2 in their second innings at stumps, still trailing by 158 runs.  

 Sri Lanka continued from their overnight score of 357 for 1 and looked in complete control with no major threat from the Irish bowlers.  

 Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis both batted brilliantly against the visitors, adding a massive 132 runs in the first session without losing any wickets.  
 Sri Lanka took lunch on 489 for 1 with total domination and demolishing of the Ireland bowlers.  

 Soon after lunch, Madushka was out leg before wicket for 205, converting his first century into a double hundred playing in only his third Test.  
 Madushka scored 22 boundaries in his knock plus one six.  

 Once Madushka departed it was Angelo Mathew’s turn to bat.  
 He and Kusal Mendis put on 133 for the third wicket.  

 Mendis, who was in sensational form, was last out trying to clear the long off field only to being caught in the deep for 245.  
 He stuck 17 boundaries and 11 sixes in his knock.  

 He scored quickly to put pressure back on the visiting team.  

 This was Mendis’ career best passing his previous highest 196 against Bangladesh.  

Mendis, on his way, missed out a world record set by Wasim Akram who scored 12 sixes against Zimbabwe in a Test match.  
Another century maker in the first Test Dinesh Chandimal joined Angelo Mathews for the fourth wicket just before tea.  
Sri Lanka scored 161 runs, losing two wickets in the second session.  

Sri Lanka also went passed the highest total at the Galle Stadium, over taking the 638 scored by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka.  
Sri Lanka batting in the third session had to see Chandimal retiring hurt after scoring 13 runs and attempting a quick single.  He was sent to hospital to obtain an x-ray after landing on his right shoulder while diving to make his ground.  

Dhananjaya de Silva joined Mathews at the wicket and though the latter did not look in complete control in his innings, scored his century to create another record of all four of the top order batsmen scoring hundreds for the first time in the Test history.  

Sri Lanka made the declaration at last on 704 for 3 with a lead of 212 runs lead.  
Mathews scored six boundaries and four sixes in his knock.  

Ireland taking lease of the wicket for the second time did not have a great start.  
James McCollum dragged a delivery from Ramesh Mendis onto his stumps.  

Peter Moor too lost his wicket for 19 off Prabath Jayasuriya putting the visitors in deep trouble at 38 for 2.  

 Skipper Andy Balbirnie (18 not out) and Harry Tactor (7 not out) took them to safety on 54 for 2 at stumps.  

Madushka happy to continue as opener

Sri Lanka’s double century maker Nishan Madushka said he was happy to bat at the top of the order.  

“I am very happy to score a double hundred for my country. I love to bat as an opener. I scored heavily in the domestic season plus scored some good centuries against England Lions. Because of these I got the opportunity to play for my country.  

Further my skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne helped me a lot in the middle encouraging and advising me while I am batting. It was a major strength for me to bat alongside him and Kusal.