Sri Lanka - Ireland 1st Test Match Dimuth, Kusal on leather hunt, Sri Lanka amass 386/4

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis plays a shot (Photo credit: AFP)

By M. Shamil Amit

Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis went on a leather hunt as the pair cracked tons to help Sri Lanka end the first day’s play of the first Test match against the visiting Ireland team at the Galle International Cricket Stadium with a formidable score of 386 for 4.

The morning session of proceedings saw skipper Karunaratne winning the toss and electing to take the first lease of the wicket. He opened the innings with Nishan Madushka, giving the home side a sound start and putting on 64 runs before being separated by the dismissal of Madushka, who made 29.

From there on skipper Karunaratne, joined by Kusal Mendis, had things their own way as the pair held on with Karaunaratne having reached his half-ton and for Sri Lanka to go into the lunch break on 119 for 1.

The post-lunch session saw the pair go on the rampage while posting the home side’s 150 runs, which was followed by Mendis racing to his half-ton and the duo’s 100 runs stand for the second wicket.

The pair made the Ireland bowlers toil in the sun, and Sri Lanka reached the 200-run mark with the minimum of fuss, with the pair posting a 150-run partnership, followed by skipper Karunaratne racing to his ton in 139 balls, which had seven boundaries.

They went into the tea break with the score at 245 for 1 before Mendis reached his ton which came off 145 balls that included 14 boundaries and a six, followed by the pair’s 200 runs stand for the second wicket and Sri Lanka’s 300 runs being posted on the scoreboard.

Skipper Karunaratne reached his 150 runs in 190 balls, which had 13 hits to the ropes.

The pair continued their dominance as they went on to post the 250-run stand for the second wicket, adding a further 31 runs. Ireland left-arm spinner Henry Dockrell made the breakthrough for the visitors with the wicket of Mendis, who made 140 runs that included 18 boundaries and a six and had associated in a massive stand of 281 runs for the second.
This followed with Sri Lanka losing two quick wickets as Angelo Mathews was able to face only three balls before being dismissed for a duck, followed by skipper Karunaratne, who slammed 179 with 15 boundaries before Sri Lanka ended the day on 386 for 4. The match will be continued today.