Ire v SL 1st ODI Review: Shanaka and Chandimal shine in Lankan win

Having played their first ODI at ‘The Village’ in Malahide, Dasun Shanka, and Dinesh Chandimal shined as the Lankans drew first blood in the first Ireland v Sri Lanka ODI. The victory comes as a much-needed confidence boost following the series loss to England in the recently concluded Test series. Dinesh Chandimal smashed his fist ODI century in almost 5 years while Dasun Shanaka’s ODI debut yielded a 5-wicket haul as the Lankans crushed the valiant Irish for 76.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield won the toss and decided that it would be best to chase with the rain hovering on the horizon. Making his debut was a right-arm medium pacer, Barry McCarthy. Having been introduced rather late in the opening powerplay, McCarthy’s first over yielded a wicket when Danushka Gunathilaka’s outside edge carried to Paul Stirling at first slip. McCathy’s debut became a dream one in his very next over when he plucked the catch form, Kusal Perera. With the Lankans at 47/2 within the 10th over, it was clear that Ireland was much more than pushovers.

Having impressed one and all in the Test series, Kusal Mendis was roped into the ODI side to do battle with the Irish. Batting with wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal, the duo began on a cautious note. However, as the partnership began to blossom, the duo began to play their shots more freely. Mendis was the first to reach his half-century as the partnership neared a hundred runs. However, Kevin O’Brien prevented that from happening as he soon removed the gritty Mendis.

Skipper Angelo Mathews began to cut loose from the word go. Perhaps it was his way of showing one and all his frustration on conceding the England series a week earlier. He smashed 49 runs in quick time including 2 massive sixes. With Dinesh Chandimal playing second fiddle, it was the turn of Mathews to take the risks. However, a few short minutes later, he was cleaned up by Sorensen after attempting a heave.

Enter Dasun Shanaka. The largeness of his international ODI debut failed to get to him as he batted rather confidently. Shanaka‘s blitzkrieg saw him clobber the Ireland death bowlers to all parts of Malahide. He took just 19 deliveries to complete his 43 runs, smashing five boundaries and 2 massive sixes as he did. In spite of losing his wicket towards the end, Shanaka’s cameo ensured that the Lankans reached a decent total. Dinesh Chandimal also reached his first ODI century in 5 years as the Lankans completed on 303 in their 50 overs.

With the rain clouds closing in on Malahide, it was imperative that the D/L method would play a role later in the day. However, that simply failed to stop the free-flowing run coming from Ireland openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling. Of course, they had a daunting task at hand. However, the solid start put them in with a chance of eclipsing the Sri Lanka total. Similar to the batting innings, it took yet another piece of ingenious planning from Angelo Mathews to toss the ball to debutant Dasun Shanaka. The latter responded beautifully as he removed the dangerous Stirling for 27.

However, the 24-year old all-rounder wasn’t done with his impressive performance just yet. He dismissed the experienced Ed Joyce and John Anderson in quick succession as the Irish saw themselves reeling at 3/91. Kevin O’Brien and skipper Porterfield began to steady the innings, with O’Brien depositing the odd ball into the stands. However, the dismissal of Will Porterfield and the rain intervention saw the task become a bridge too far for the Ireland players as they crashed from 164/4 to 216 all out in the space of a few overs. Once again, it was Dasun Shanaka who was the architect of the collapse as he concluded with figures of 5/43 on debut. He was also fittingly announced as the man-of-the-match, becoming one of the few Sri Lankans to achieve the feat.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 303/7 in 50 overs (D Chandimal 100*; B Rankin 2/45)

Ireland: 216 all out in 40.4 overs (W Porterfield 73; D Shanaka 5/43)