Ireland v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI - 5 Talking Points

Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 76 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Dinesh Chandimal hit an unbeaten 100 from 107 balls as Sri Lanka posted 303-7 from their 50 overs after being put into bat by the opposition. In reply, the hosts started off well and remained in contention of a win with the help of half-centuries from William Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien. Rain interrupted in the 33rd over of the game and a revised target of 293 from 47 over was set for the home side to chase. However, But the Irish lost their last six wickets for just 18 runs following the rain interruption and eventually lost the game by 76 runs

1. Dinesh Chandimal carries the Lankans:

Dinesh Chandimal has been the sole man who has shown some fight with the bat in this tour during this tour.  He as in fine touch last game as well and carried the batting responsibility of the Lankan side till the end of the innings, hitting a fluent 100 off 109 balls. After a steady start, the Sri Lankans had lost both their opener in quick successions. Chandimal, however, disallowed the home side from gaining the advantage. He forged important partnerships with middle order and helped his team cruise to a comfortable position without difficulties. The vice-captain reached the century in the last over of the 1st innings and ended up unbeaten.

2. Middle order offers support:

The Lankan middle played a huge collective role in yesterday’s game. Chandimal would have been left stranded in the middle helplessly he had not received the valuable support from his teammates Kusal Mendis (51), Dasun Shanaka (42) and Angelo Mathews (49). After an early shake-up in the top order by Barry McCarty, Mendis stood by Chandimal and put up an 82 run stand for the third wicket before the former departed in the 26th over. Skipper Mathews then joined his deputy in the middle and shared an 88 run stand before the skipper too departed in the 42nd over. Dasun Shanaka then hit the throttle and pushed the run rate upwards, putting up 61 runs with Chandimal in just 4.1 overs. These partnerships were the backbone of the Lankan innings yesterday.

3. Dasun Shanaka blows away the opposition:

After putting up a sizzling show with the bat, Shanaka came back in the 2nd innings and floored the opposition completely with his superb spell of 5/43. Shanaka made an instant impact after been brought into the attack in the 11th over the game, crashing an in-swinger onto Paul Stirling’s stumps. He picked up two more wickets of that of Ed Joyce and John Anderson in his next four overs before getting taken off from the attack. He then dismissed Stuart Poynter and Max Sorensen in his second spell to complete his 5 wicket haul.

4. Resistance from William Porterfield and Kevin O’ Brien:

The Irishmen did not down without giving a fight. Opener William Porterfield batted sturdily and anchored the chasing effort at the start with his well-compiled 88 balls 73 runs knock. After a good 50 runs opening stand between Paul Stirling and Porterfield, the Irish innings began to fall apart slowly with the latter holding things together from one end. The skipper batted with intent and looked dangerous when batting together with his explosive partner Kevin O’ Brien. Both helped Ireland stay in the hunt with an 68 runs stand for the 4th wicket before the skipper finally departed in the 31st over, just two overs before the rains interupted.

5. Irish Tail-enders surrender too soon:

After the departure of skipper William Porterfield, Kevin O Brien had kept the hopes of a win alive with his counter-attacking batting. The game still looked in the favour of both the teams but the rains mad eth job bit tough for the hosts. Subsequently, the Irish middle order could not offer support to O’Brien and collapsed quickly after the rain break and gave Sri Lanka an easy win in the end. It was a meek surrender from them as they lost their last 6 wickets for just 18 runs, giving away a 76 run win to the visitors.