Sri Lanka vs Ireland, ICCWC Qualifiers, 2023 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! That is a sharp catch! Wow! He does take his fifth on the last ball of his spell. Third in a row. On middle, this is hit hard back towards the bowler. He takes a sharp catch. SRI LANKA WIN BY 133 RUNS!

SIX! That is a massive hit! Wow! On middle, the slog sweep comes out, it is nailed over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

On middle, kept out.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

The reverse sweep comes out, it is not timed, it goes towards point for one.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

On off, kept out.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

On middle, kept out.

Walks right across and then looks to sweep but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the off side for one. Leg bye.

Plays the reverse sweep but straight to the first slip fielder.

This is pushed through covers for one.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Now the reverse sweep, this is hit hard on the off side and it results in another boundary.

FOUR! Very clever! On imddle, Joshua Little plays the paddle scoop, fine on the leg side and it races away to the fence.

Three! George Dockrell makes room and then slaps it through covers. Three taken.

Flighted ball on off, Joshua Little goes for the slog sweep but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

On off, kept out.

A single now as this is nudged on the leg side.

FOUR LEG BYES! On the pads, Joshua Little looks to flick, it hits the pad and goes down to the fine leg fence.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a sharp catch! Tossed up on off, Barry McCarthy hits it hard and to the right of Lahiru Kumara at mid off. He takes it with a dive. Sri Lanka just a wicket away now.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, kept out.

On off, tossed up, this is hit back to the bowler.

On middle, blocked.

A single as this is hit down to long off.

On middle, blocked.

FOUR! That is a lovely stroke! Tossed up outside off, this is lofted over covers and it races away.

Two! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Misfield and the run is taken! Shorter and on off, this is pushed towards cover for one.

On off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is worked to mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, Barry looks to cut but misses.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On off, kept out.

On middle, defended.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

On middle, this is flicked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one more.

On middle, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Around off, defended.

On middle, blocked.

Two! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

On middle, kept out.

BEATEN! Fuller and outside off, Barry McCarthy looks to drive but is beaten.

OUT! TAKEN! Number 4 for Wanindu Hasaranga! Shorter and on middle, Mark Adair pulls it hard but straight to mid-wicket. Good sharp catch taken there.

FOUR! Adair goes for it straightaway, on middle, the sweep is out and it is nailed through mid-wicket for a boundary.

OUT! TIMBER! Wanindu Hasaranga strikes back! This lands outside off and spins back in. Gareth Delany looks to flick but misses, he gets an inside edge onto the stumps.

Two more! Tossed up on middle, this is hit just wide of long on for two.

SIX! Over the fence. Gareth Delany is going for it. The slog sweep, this is nailed over the square leg fence.

A single as this is pushed down to long off.

FOUR! Off the outside edge! Outside off, Gareth Delany slashes at it, it goes off the outside edge and over the first slip fielder.

Tossed up around off, George Dockrell looks to drive, this goes off the outer half towards backward point for one.

Hit hard but to the fielder! Fuller and on off, this is hit hard but to mid off.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

FOUR! Thumped down the ground! Fuller and on off, this is nailed down to the long off fence for a boundary.

A full toss, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

Back of a length and on off, this is guided to point.

Two more! Fuller and on the pads, George Dockrell works it through square leg for two.

Outside off, this is played down towards third man for one more.

Around off, this is guided down towards third man for one.

On off, kept out.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust and it is the hero from the last game! Shorter and on middle, Curtis Campher looks to pull, this goes off the top edge and Kusal Mendis takes it.

Two! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. Two taken.

FOUR! Nicely hit! Tossed up outside off, this is nailed through covers for a boundary.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

Two! On middle, his is paddle scooped down towards fine leg for two.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

A single as this is nudged on the leg side.

SIX! Over the fence! Slammed! This is shorter, Curtis Campher goes back and lofts it over the long on fence.

On middle, this is again nudged on the leg side for no runs.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Another slog sweep, this is nailed over the mid-wicket fielder and it goes to the fence.

FOUR! The slog sweep comes out and it is played well. On middle, this is heaved over the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and outside off, Curtis looks to cut but misses.

Shorter and on off, this is punched to covers.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and on off, Curtis pushes it through covers for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one more.

Shortish and on off, Curtis Campher pushes it through covers for one.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On middle, kept out.

OUT! LBW! The finger is raised this time! The big man, Harry Tector is gone and now this sseems an uphill task. This lands outside off and then jags back in. Harry Tector lunges forward to defend but this spins back in and hits the front pad. An appeal and the finger is raised.

Top edge and safe! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled down towards fine leg for two.

Angled into the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one.

On the off pole, defended.

Another single as this is nudged on the leg side.

Angled into the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, this is hit through covers for one.

Tossed up on middle, nudged to mid-wicket.

Full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single.

Outside off, dragged to long on for one.

SIX! Much needed! Tossed up on middle. Tector slogs it hard over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Flat and outside off, this is slapped to backward point.

Too full and on middle, Tector sweeps it behind square leg for two.

Another single as this is hit to mid-wicket.

Length and outside off, this is worked to third man for a single.

On off, kept out.

On middle, this is punched to point for a single.

On off, kept out.

Outside off, guided to point for a single.

A  googly, full and outside off. Tector prods to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal but the umpire feels the impact is outside the line.

Full and on middle, tucked to square leg for a single.

Slower ball on middle, Campher defends on the front foot.

Full and on  middle, Tector heaves it through mid-wicket, in the gap for three.

On off, kept out.

This is full and outside off. Tector miscues his slog-sweep back to the bowler.

On middle, blocked.

FOUR! Welcome boundary! Length and outside off, Campher dabs it to third man for four.

On off, tucked to mid-wicket.

OUT! BOWLED! Dasun Shanaka gets on now. Ireland are falling apart. Length ball on middle. Tucker tries to defend it very late but gets a bottom edge and it rolls back onto the stumps.

On a length and on off, Tucker punches it to mid on.

Fuller and outside off, worked to third man for a single.

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket. What a start by Wanindu Hasaranga.

This is full and outside off. Tucker looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Flighted, outside off. Tucker blocks.

OUT! LBW! A googly, full and outside off. Andy Balbirnie goes on the back foot to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger. Wanindu Hasaranga continues his impressive form.

On middle, Andy Balbirnie blocks it out.

Tossed up, outside off, Tector pushes it to point for a single.

Length and on middle, blocked.

Full and outside off, this is hit to third man for a single.

Flat and on middle, Tector blocks.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Wide! DOwn the leg side, wided.

A single as this is hit to square leg.

On the pads, flicked to square leg.

Fuller and outside off. Tector lets it go.

Length and on off, Tector blocks it out.

FOUR! Slides one on the pads, Tector helps it to fine leg for four. 50 up!

On the off, blocked.

FOUR!A half-volley, outside off. Tector drives  it through covers in the gap for four.

Length and on middle, this is defended.

Full and on off, dropped to  third man for a single.

A length ball, outside off, Tector slashes and misses.

FOUR! Goes  short and on middle. Tector stands tall and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full and on off, Tector pushes it to cover.

On the pads. Tector blocks.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Outside off, guided to third man for a single.

Full and on  off, pushed back to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Kasun Rajitha gets the better of McBrine! Shorter and on leg, McBrine pulls it late but not far enough as Lahiru Kumara takes it at fine leg.

Shorter and on off, McBrine pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

FOUR! Andy Balbirnie has started so well. Length ball, outside off, this is punched through point for four more. 16 runs off the over.

On the pads, kept out.

FOUR! Wonderful shot! This is full and outside off. Andy Balbirnie drives it to the left of covers for a boundary.

On middle, helped to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Tad short and outside off. McBrine cuts it through point another boundary.

A length ball, outside off. Andy Balbirnie punches it through point and in the gap for three runs.

On off, McBrine blocks.

On the pads, kept out.

On middle, McBrine defends it out.

Outside off, punched to point.

Outside off on a length. McBrine slaps it to point where Wanindu Hasaranga makes a good stop.

On middle, blocked.

Length ball, outside off, knocked to point.

On off, blocked.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! What a catch from the keeper! Pushes it wide of off, Stirling is tempted  to go for the drive but gets an outside edge to the right of Kusal Mendis who leaps and grabs with one hand.

On off, kept out.

Length ball, tailing on middle, Stiling looks to whip but misses.

Outside off, McBrine guides it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Crunched! A length ball, outside off. Stirling uses his feet and slaps it through point for four.

Length and on off, defended well.

On middle on a length, it is blocked.

Fuller and on middle, Stirling flicks it through square leg for a couple.

Length and on middle, blocked.

A length ball on off. Stirling looks to defend but gets beaten. That goes over the pole.

A length ball, outside off, McBrine swings and misses.

Length and on off, kept out.

FOUR! Too full and wide of off. McBrine drives it through covers for four more.

FOUR BYES! Shorter and outside off. McBrine leaves it alone. It bounces in front of the keeper and goes through him for four.

This is close to off. McBrine dead bats it.

Outside off and it swings away more off the deck. McBrine shoulders arms.

Wide! Starts with a length ball, outside off, angled across. McBrine lets it go.

Length ball on middle, Stirling defends it out.

Length and on off, blocked.

Full and on off, pushed to the right of mid off for a single.

Goes full and on middle, McBrine defends.

On a length and on off, this is blocked.

FOUR! That is some way to get underway! Fuller and wide of off. McBrine drives it through cover-point for a boundary.

OUT! RUN OUT! Fuller and outside off. Kasun Rajitha pushes it to covers and tries to give the strike to Dhananjaya. He though is slow to run across and Paul Stirling passes the ball to Curtis Campher who runs from across and removes the bails. SRI LANKA END WITH 325.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! This is short and on middle, Kumara tries to pull but is cramped and it goes off the top edge, high and not far as Mark Adair settles under it.

Bye! Slower full ball on leg, Dhananjaya swings and misses. This time they take the bye.

Slower bumper on middle, Dhananjaya pulls it to fine leg. No run.

This is full and on leg, Dhananjaya looks to reverse sweep but misses.

Bye! Length ball, outside off. Dhananjaya swings and misses but he keeps the strike as he runs across quickly.

Wide! Too wide again, outside off. Dhananjaya leaves.

Wide! Way outside off, left alone.

Wide! Slower one way outside off. Dhananjaya tries to push but misses. Wided.

Very full and wide of off. Dhananjaya tries to paddle it over third man but misses.

Shorter and outside off, Dhananjaya slaps it to deep point and denies the run.

FOUR! A full toss, outside off. Dhananjaya sweeps it and hits to vacant square leg for four.

Outside off, this is cut through point and Dhananjaya runs hard for the second.

SIX! Superb shot! Very full and outside off, Dhananjaya drags it and htis it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Angling on the pads, Kumara keeps it out.

FOUR! Shorter and outside off. Kumara looks to cut but outside edges it to third man for a boundary.

On off, kept out.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Short of a length and on middle. Maheesh Theekshana is cramped as he looks to pull, he does so but gets only outside edge to the keeper who takes it.

Shorter and on middle, Maheesh Theekshana sits down.

OUT! GONE! Short and on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga backs away and tries to ramp it over third man but no pace there and Joshua Little takes a simple catch inside the ring.

Full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga looks to push but inside edges it to fine leg for one.

Length and outside off, this is cut through point for a couple of runs.

Full and outside off, kept out.

Full and outside off, Dhananjaya chips it over covers for a single.

Outside off, played to third man for one.

OUT! GONE! Barry McCarthy gets his third! This is full and wide of off. Shanaka chases as his swings his bat but slices it over to deep backward point where George Dockrell takes it.

FOUR! Straight down the ground! Fuller and on middle. Dhananjaya smashes it down to long off.

On middle, dropped to point for one.

On middle, bunted to square leg for one.

Full and on  middle, flicked to square leg for a single.

Wide! A bumper, outside off. Shanaka leaves.

A single as this is hit to cover.

FOUR!  A slower length ball, outside off. Dhananjaya punches it over covers for a boundary.

Wide! Full and wide of off. Dhananjaya swings his bat and misses.

Slower, full and outside off. Shanaka looks to cut but mistimes back on the deck.

A single now as this is hit to long on.

Full and on off, pushed to long off for a single.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

OUT! GONE! This is full and around off, slower and Asalanka tries to heave but targets the longer side and the fielder takes a simple catch. Gareth Delany gets his second.

Around off, pulled to mid-wicket for one more.

Short and on middle, Dhananjaya pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Slower one down leg. Dhananjaya swings and misses. No ball continues.

No ball! A full toss and on off. Dhananjaya loos to ramp it over but misses. That was over the head. A no ball called.

On middle, nudged to mid-wicket for a single.

Short and on off, this is pulled to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Wide! Down the off side again, Asalanka leaves.

Wide! This is way outside off, left alone.

On middle, blocked.

SIX! BANG! On a length and on middle. Aslanka whips it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Too full and on middle, this is clipped to mid-wicket for a single.

Flat and outside off. Dhananjaya lofts it to sweeper cover for one.

Around off, pushed to covers for a single.

Length ball, outsidie off, Dhananjaya punches it to point for one.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Length and on off, pushed to covers for a couple.

Short again, Dhananjaya pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and on off, Dhananjaya pulls it behind square leg for a brace.

On middle, guided to third man for a single.

A single as this is pulled to square leg.

On middle, worked to mid-wicket for a couple.

On the pads, tucked to square leg for a single.

Short and on off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

On middle, eased to long on for a single.

Flat and on the pads, Dhananjaya flicks but to square leg.

Outside off, punched to point for a single.

On middle, this is played to square leg for two more.

FOUR! SHOT! Length and outside off. Dhananjaya cuts it over point for a boundary.

Outside off, this is knocked to deep point for a single.

Length and outside off, kept out.

Shorter and outside off, Asalanka looks to push but misses.

Outside off, guided to third man for a single.

Length ball, outside off. Dhananjaya slashes and misses.

On off, kept out.

Outside off, cut to point.

Fuller and on middle, this is flicked through mid-wicket for two more.

Flat an on middle, Dhananjaya works it to mid-wicket for one.

On middle, Dhananjaya blocks.

On middle, nudged to square leg for one.

On off, kept out.

Outside off, guided to third man for one.

Shorter and on middle, Dhananjaya pulls it to square leg for one.

OUT! BOWLED! Karunaratne goes! End of a fine innings from the opener. That was a bit tired shot from  Karunaratne! Length ball on middle. Karunaratne skips down to heave but misses and it hits the stumps.

Shorter and on off, Asalanka pulls it to square leg for one.

FOUR! Well played! Length and outside off. Asalanka crunches it over covers for a boundary.

A single as this is hit to mid-wicket.

3 runs! Shorter and on middle, Karunaratne pulls it over to fine leg for three.

On off, Karunaratne pulls it to mid on.

Outside off, guided to point for a single.

Shorter and outside off, Asalanka leaves.

Century for Karunaratne! What an innings! He has played brilliantly so far! Tossed up, outside off, this is hit to point for one.

Around off, punched to cover.

SIX! Off the mark! Tossed up, outside off, this is slogged-sweep over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Tossed up on off, blocked.

Around off, Karunaratne plays it to covers for a single.

On off, pushed to point for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Sadeera Samarawickrama runs out of luck! Tossed up, outside off. Sadeera Samarawickrama comes down the track as he looks to go inside-out but gets too close to the ball. He lofts but straight to Harry Tector at covers.

On middle, nudged to square leg for a single.

JUST SHORT! A length ball, outside off. Sadeera Samarawickrama punches from higher part of the bat and to mid off. The fielder dives forward but it just not carry to him.

On middle, worked to mid on for a single.

Short in length and on middle, Karunaratne looks to pull but misses and gets hit on the pads.

On middle, nudged to mid-wicket for a single.

Bye! A slower bumper, outside off. Karunaratne has a poke but misses. The keeper fumbles to carry and gives a single.

On off, played to covers.

Flat and on off, punched to covers for one.

On middle, eased to long off for a single.

On middle, nudged to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on middle, blocked.

Very full on middle, blocked.

Two more! Fuller and outside off, driven through covers for two.

Shorter and on middle, Karunaratne pulls it behind square leg for one.

Lovely shot for three! Length ball, outside off. Sadeera Samarawickrama punches on the up over covers for three.

Length ball, on off. Karunaratne taps it to point foor a quick single.

Shorter and on middle, pulled to square leg for a single.

On middle, blocked.

Fuller and on off, played to long off for a single.

Around off, pushed through covers for a single.

On middle, eased to mid on.

On off, played to long off for a single.

On middle, nudged to mid-wicket for one.

Fuller and on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama drives it through covers for a single.

A single to end the over as this is hit to mid-wicket.

On a length and on middle, blocked.

Length and on off, pushed to cover.

Shorter and on middle, pulled to square leg for a single.

Wide! Slides it down the leg side. Karunaratne leaves.

On middle, this is hit to square leg for a single.

Flat and on off, punched to covers for a single.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is hit to mid-wicket.

Darted on the pads, this is helped to square leg for one.

On middle, flicked to square leg for a single.

FOUR! This makes it more worse! Fuller and on middle, Karunaratne smashes it down to long on for four.

Mark Adair has dropped an absolute sitter! Fuller and on off. Sadeera Samarawickrama skips down and tries to loft over mid off but mistimes it to Adair there who hops a bit to catch but drops a dolly.

On middle, this is flicked to deep square leg for a couple. Good running.

Leg bye! On the pads, Sadeera Samarawickrama misses his flick and it rolls to square leg for one.

Length and on middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama defends.

On middle, blocked.

CHANCE! A full toss on off. Sadeera Samarawickrama tries to flick on the leg side but gets a leading edge back to Little who ducks while trying to catch but fails. It didn't come at such speed.

Slower ball on the pads, Karunaratne pulls it to square leg for one.

On a length and on off, Karunaratne knocks it to point for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled to square leg for a single.

On middle, blocked.

On the pads, flicked to square leg for one.

Tossed up on middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for one.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Tad short and outside off, Karunaratne punches it through covers in the gap for four.

Full again on middle, this is hit to mid-wicket for one.

Full and on off, tucked to square leg for one.

A single as this is hit to square leg.

On middle, kept out.

Fuller and on off. Karunaratne lofts it wide of the man at deep mid-wicket for three runs.

Tossed up on middle, Karunaratne paddles it to short fine leg for one.

Shorter and on middle, pulled to square leg for a single.

Tossed up on middle, Karunaratne works it to square leg for one.

Flat and outside off, this is guided to third man for a single.

Full and on off, pushed to covers for a single.

On middle, this is flicked to square leg for one.

FOUR! The reverse sweep comes out and it is nailed! It is hit through point and this one races away to the fence.

A single as this is worked on the leg side.

On middle, blocked.

On off, this is lofted down towards long off for one.

Around off, kept out towards cover for one.

Another single as this is pucnhed on the off side.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On middle, kept out.

Another single as this is flicked towards mid-wicket.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Extra bounce! This lands on leg stump and then there is extra bounce. It hits Sadeera Samarawickrama on the shoulder as he tries to play the paddle scoop.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On off, this is pushed down to long off for one more.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket and this one races away to the fence.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket for a single.

Outside off, this is guided down towards third man for three.

Two! Shorter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for two.

Another single as this is eased down to long on.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is pushed towards cover for one more.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for one.

Two more! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

Two more! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket. Two taken.

On off, kept out.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

A single then! On off, this is eased down to long off for one.

Outside off, this is cut through point for one.

FOUR! Off the outside edge! Shorter and outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks to cut but this goes off the outside edge down towards third man for a boundary.

Another run as this is driven down to long off.

Around middle, this is worked on the leg side for one.

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket for one.

Quick run! On the shorter side, this is pushed towards cover for a quick run.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, blocked.

FOUR! That is hammered! Shorter and on middle, the pull shot is nailed through square leg. No chance of stopping that.

On middle, this is defended well.

Outside off, this is played through covers for one.

On middle, this is played down to long on for one.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers. The fielder in the deep, runs to his right, dives and keeps it down to two.

On middle, kept out.

This time he gets it past mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

On the pads, Dimuth Karunaratne plays it towards mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, blocked.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Nicely played! It seemed intentional. Shorter and outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays the upper cut and it goes down to the third man fence.

Shorter and around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama guides it to point.

A single now as this is worked through mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A single as this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

On the stumps, blocked.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket again.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

On off, kept out.

Two more! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for two.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

Two more! On the body, this is pulled behind square on the leg side for two.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama again looks to play it towards point but is beaten.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for two.

A single as this is eased down to long on.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one more.

Outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks to guide it towards point but misses.

Three more! On middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. Three taken.

Angled into the pads, this is nudged towards mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is pulled but to mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket.

Two! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for two.

Outside off, Sadeera looks to guide it down towards third man but is beaten.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Nice and fine! Outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama guides it down to the third man fence and it races away.

Another couple! Fuller and around off, this is hit through covers for two.

Two more! On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for two.

Another single as this is nudged on the leg side.

On middle, kept out.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

On off, kept out.

On the pads, this is nudged on the leg side for one.

Two! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for two.

On middle, blocked.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

On off, blocked.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled but to mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

FOUR! Nicely timed! Length and on off, this is defended solidly.

Around off, defended.

On middle, kept out.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

FOUR! What a shot that is! Length and on off, this is timed through covers and the ball races away to the fence. THe hat-trick ball is put away.

OUT! THAT IS PLUMB! One brings two and that is exactly the case here. Barry McCarthy is on fire here. Length and around off, this lands and jags back in. Mendis fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the pad. A loud shout and the finger is raised. Ireland back into this one.

OUT! TAKEN! Comes into the side and strikes! He has been really good since he has come on. A short one, it hurries onto Pathum Nissanka who looks to pull but it goes off the splice and it is an easy catch for the man at mid-wicket. Much-needed wicket for Ireland.

On middle, kept out.

On off, defended.

On off, kept out.

On middle, kept out well.

A leg bye! On the pads, Pathum Nissanka looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

On middle, this is pushed through mid on for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, kept out.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for one.

FOUR! Yet again a poor delivery, on the pads, this is clipped through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

L:ength and on off, Dimuth Karunaratne pushes it to covers.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled hard through mid-wicket. It races away to the fence.

On off, blocked.

WIDE! Another extra! Well wide outside off, left alone.

On middle, Pathum Nissanka nudges it to mid-wicket.

A single now as this is pushed towards cover.

On middle, kept out.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for two.

Two more! On middle, this is clipped through mid-wicket. Two taken.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, kept out.

On middle, kept out nicely.

On off, kept out nicely.

Shorter and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it to covers.

On off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it to covers.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled but to mid-wicket.

On middle, kept out.

Around off and angling away. Dimuth Karunaratne looks to drive but is beaten.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Around off, this is pushed to cover.

FOUR! Third on in the over! Fuller and on off, Pathum Nissanka strokes it down the ground and it races away to the fence in no time.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Yet another boundary! This is fuller and on middle, this is timed down the ground and into the long on fence.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

FOUR! Clipped away! This is a poor start for Little! On the pads, this is clipped through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

Yet another wide! Well outside off, left alone. Wided.

Shorter and outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne looks to pull, this goes off the underedge on the leg side for one.

Around off, this is pushed to covers.

On off, kept out.

On middle, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Three more! Runs flowing to begin with! On off, this is pushed through coves for three.

On off, this is pushed to covers.

Around off, this is pushed towards cover.

On middle, this one swings back in, it is worked to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Timed brilliantly! Fuller and on middle, this is timed through mid on for a boundary.

More bonus runs! Down the leg side again, the keeper this time dives and gets a glove to it. He saves two for his side.

On off, kept out.

Good length and on off, blocked.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs to begin with! This is the worst possible start for Ireland! Down the leg side, swinging away furhter. The keeper dives but fails to take it. It goes down to the fine leg fence.

Time for the action to begin! The Irish players make their way out to the middle. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka are the openers for Lanka. Joshua Little to begin.

Ireland (PLAYNG XI) - Paul Stirling, Andy McBrine, Andrew Balbirnie (C), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy.

Sri Lanka (PLAYING XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara.

Dasun Shanaka says they wanted to bowl first too. Adds it has been a really good start and they want to continue the momentum. States they want to play some good cricket and informs they are playing the same team.

Andy Balbirnie says bowling first is an advantage and they want to bowl. States every game is a pressure one and they want to play their best cricket. Informs Barry McCarthy comes in for Benjamin White!

TOSS - Ireland have WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BOWL!

Yet another game from the qualifiers and it is a clash between a side which is still to win a game and one which has won both of which it has played. Ireland will be taking on Sri Lanka and this is a must-win for the former if they are to keep their hopes alive of getting to India. Sri Lanka on the other hand, will be wanting to make it three in a row and they are heavy favourites to do so. Can Ireland cause an upset? We will find out. Stay tuned for the toss in a bit.

... MATCH DAY ...

We are now down to match number 15 of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier that will have Sri Lanka go up against Ireland at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. As things stand in Group B, Sri Lanka are sitting pretty at the top with two wins from as many games, whereas Ireland have suffered back-to-back losses and find themselves fourth in the standings. Sri Lanka come into this game on the back of a 10-wicket-thumping victory over Oman in their last outing. Having opted to bowl first, a clinical bowling effort led by a five-wicket haul by Wanindu Hasaranga saw them roll over Oman for 98 runs. While chasing, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka strung together an unbeaten opening stand and took their side over the line in 15 overs. For Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne has stood out with consecutive fifties in the competition and has found an able alley in Pathum Nissanka. Dushmantha Chameera has missed the first two games due to shoulder pain, but the likes of Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara have done a stellar job of filling that void. The spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga has worked his magic with the ball and will be eyeing another five-wicket haul against the Irish side. A win in this clash against Ireland would see them seal a spot in the Super Six. On the other hand, Ireland suffered their second straight defeat with a narrow loss to Scotland. As far as their Super Six qualification hopes are concerned, a loss against Sri Lanka will put them out of contention. In their last outing, Ireland were struggling at 70-5, but a century by Curtis Campher and a 69-run knock by George Dockrell took their side to a challenging total. While defending, Ireland did well to reduce Scotland to 122-6 but let it slip, allowing the opposition to come back into the game. The Irish batters have let them down, and their fans will be hoping the likes of Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, and Harry Tector will step up in what is a must-win game for them. In the bowling department, Mark Adair leads the wicket-taking charts for them and will form a lethal pairing with Joshua Little. In the middle overs, left-arm spinner George Dockrell has done a decent job and will need to bring his A-game. Will Ireland spring a surprise and collect their first points of the competition? Or will it be Sri Lanka that prove too strong for Ireland? We will find out together.