Sri Lanka vs Ireland, IRE in SL, 2 Test Series, 2023 Full score card

OUT! TIMBER! Done and dusted! This is full and reverse swings it on leg. White is late to flick it away and gets hit on the pads. It deflects and hits the stumps behind. Sri Lanka win by an innings and 10 runs.

OUT! BOWLED! Asitha Fernando is pumped up! Absolutely pumped up! They have finally got rid of Tector! A yorker, this one swings in on middle. Tector is late to get his bat down as he tries to squeeze it away but misses and it goes through and hits the stumps. Ireland still trail by 10 runs.

A yorker on leg. Tector looks to whip it away but gets hit on the pads.

Flat and on middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Flat and on middle. Humphreys splices his defense to point.

Too full and on off, Humphreys jams it out to cover.

Angling on middle. Humphreys prods and blocks.

Tossed up on off, defended out.

SIX! 200 up! Short in length, outside off. Tector pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Pitched up, on off. Tector inside edges his drive onto the pads.

A bumper on middle. Tector looks to ramp it over but misses.

A full toss, outside off. Tector works it to third man for two.

Fuller and on middle. Tector whips it to deep mid-wicket for no run.

Full and on middle. Tector heaves it to deep mid-wicket. No run taken.

Outside off, guided to point for a single.

Short, quicker and outside off, spins away. Tector plays it late and bottom edges it back to the keeper. Tumbles back as he gets back in the pitch.

Flat and on middle, Tector tucks it to square leg again.

On middle, nudged to square leg.

Fuller and around off, driven to deep cover. No run taken again.

Full and on the pads. Tector pads it away.

Superb over from Asitha! A yorker, swinging on off. Humphreys defends it out very late.

A bouncer, going down. Humphreys sits down.

A bit of reverse swing on off. Humphreys blocks.

Length and on middle, tucked to square leg.

What a delivery! A yorker, tailing outside off, Humphreys looks to squeeze it out but misses.

Full and on middle. Humphreys looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The edge saves him.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

SIX! Sublime shot! Too full and outside off. Tector drives on the up all the way over long off for a six.

Too full and on off, defended out.

Fuller and outside off. Tector drives it to deep cover and denies a single.

Outside off, left alone.

Too full and on off, Tector prods and blocks.

On off, defended out.

Flat and on middle. Humphreys goes back and blocks.

Outside off, pushed to point for a single.

FOUR! Hammered! Too full and on off. Tector sweeps it hard through mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! This is why he does not want to run! Tossed up on middle. Tector slogs it high over long on for a biggie.

Short and on middle. Tector pulls it to deep square leg but does not take any run.

Around off, pushed through covers for a single.

FOUR! Not a good start from Jayasuriya! Shorter and outside off. Tector cuts it through point for four.

On off, blocked again.

FOUR! Shot! Too full and outside off. Tector drives it through covers for a boundary.

On off, defended.

Flighted, outside off. Tector looks to drive but misses.

Full and on middle. Humphreys defends it out.

Too full on middle, Humphreys blocks.

On middle, kept out.

Flighted, outside off and spins in. Humphreys tries to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Again it looked like the impact is outside off but Sri Lanka are getting a bit desperate. They take the review and it is outside the line.

Full and on off, Humphreys blocks.

Fifty for Tector! While the other batters failed, he has stepped up! Excellent innings from him! On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

SLanting on the pads. Humphreys keeps it out.

On middle, blocked.

Length and on the pads. Humphreys looks to flick but gets a leading edge to point.

A yorker, right on the middle. Humphreys gets his bat down quickly.

FOUR! Cleverly played! Shorter and outside off. Humphreys plays it over the slip cordon for a boundary.

Too full, angling on the pads. Humphreys misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but the finger stays down. Sri Lanka still take the review. However, it shows the impact was outside the leg line.

On the pads again, Tector works it to square leg.

Slanting on middle, Tector bunts it to short leg. A bit of miscommunication but no harm is done.

Flat and on middle. Tector uses his feet as he nudges it to short leg.

Angling on middle, kept out.

Full and on middle, tucked to square leg but no run is taken.

Tossed up on middle, blocked again.

On middle, defended.

Length and on off, Humphreys again blocks.

Length and on the pads. Humphreys keeps it out.

Full and on middle. Humphreys blocks.

On off, blocked.

Length and on middle, nudged to square leg for a single.

On middle, kept out.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Mendis has a five-fer! Excellent bowling from Mendis! Tossed up, outside off and it skids on. Hume gets on the front foot to defend but gets an outside edge to the keeper who makes  no mistake. A very faint edge. Sri Lanka are two wickets away.

On middle, defended out.

Tossed up on off. Hume blocks.

Full and outside off, pushed to cover.

Full and on middle, Tector tucks it to square leg for a single.

Around off, kept out.

Well bowled! This one tails back in from around off, Graham Hume looks to defend but gets an inside edge which rolls on the leg side.

Outside off, left alone.

Around off, Harry Tector guides it through point for one.

On middle, defended well.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off.

On off, defended.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That is a good catch! Flatter and on off, this lands and turns away. Andy McBrine looks to defend, he pushes out at it, the ball turns just enough to take the edge and Dhananjaya de Silva takes it at first slip.

Outside edge but safe! Flatter again and on off, Andy McBrine looks to defend, it goes off the outside edge but lands short of the second slip fielder.

OHHH! Pushes this one through and on middle, Andy McBrine gets his bat down just in time.

Floats it up on off, defended well.

On middle, kept out.

Outside off again, left alone again.

Outside off, left alone.

Off the bottom edge! Length and outside off, Harry Tector looks to leave it alone, a little late, it goes off the toe-end and on the bounce to the keeper.

Length and on off, kept out.

Good length and on off, kept out.

Outside off, left alone.

A single to end as this is pushed down to long off.

Steps out again, makes it into a low full toss and strokes it back to the bowler.

A single as this is slapped through covers.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Steps out, takes it on the full and hits it through covers for two.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Swept away! That is another gift from Prabath Jayasuriya who seems a little tired! On the body, a full toss, this is swept down to the fine leg fence.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, Harry Tector works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

On the stumps, blocked.

On the stumps, defended.

On middle, blocked.

FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off, asking to be hit. Andy McBrine puts it away as he cuts it through point.

On middle, Andy McBrine hangs back and keeps it out.

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket.

Shorter and outside off, Andy McBrine guides it to point.

On middle, kept out.

Gives it air and lands it on off, kept out.

Flighted ball on off, Harry Tector leans forward and keeps it out.

On middle, Harry Tector pushes it to mid off.

On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Floats it up on off, kept out.

Flatter and on middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Floats it up on off, defended.

On the stumps, defended.

Flatter and on middle, blocked.

Tossed up on middle, kept out.

OUT! TAKEN THIS TIME! Andy Balbirnie walks back and Sri Lanka well and truly on top now. Just as the partnership was going along well, it has been broken. This is tossed up outside off, it lands in the rough and turns back in. Andy Balbirnie looks to drive it through the off side, against the turn, it hits the splice, then the bottom and goes towards mid off. Angelo Mathews takes it. He ended up hitting that twice. Into the bowlers now are the hosts.

Half a chance? No, that was out of reach! On middle, this lands and turns back in. It hits the inside edge, then the pads, lobs up in the air but falls ahead of the short leg fielder.

Flatter and on off, blocked.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

FOUR! Yet another gift and it is put away! This is a full toss around off, Andy Balbirnie strokes it through covers. No chance for the fielder in the deep.

On middle, blocked.

On the stumps, kept out.

On middle, defended.

FOUR! Lovely! Caressed! Tossed up outside off, Andy Balbirnie leans into it and strokes it through covers, this races away to the fence.

Tector misses out! This is short and on middle, it is pulled hard but straight to square leg.

Safe in the end! On the pads, this is worked towards short fine leg. They go for one, a slight confusion but make it in the end.

On middle, blocked.

A single as this is guided through covers.

On off, kept out.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Tosses it up on off, blocked.

Slower through the air and outside off, left alone.

FOUR! That is nicely driven! Finds the gap really well. This is tossed up outside off, this is driven through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

Edgy runs! Soft hands! This is tossed up around off, Andy Balbirnie lunges and looks to defend, it goes off the outside edge towards third man for two.

On middle, this is swept through square leg for one.

Sharp turn! This is from outside off, it turns away. Left alone.

A single now as this is worked through square leg.

On middle, blocked.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket.

A single as this is nudged on the leg side.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Outside off, not played at.

Outside off, left alone.

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

On middle, kept out.

On off, tossed up, blocked.

Outside off, fuller, this is driven to covers.

Time for the afternoon session to begin! The players make their way out to the middle. Harry Tector and Andy Balbirnie make their way out to the middle. Prabath Jayasuriya to begin.

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

Sri Lanka's session! They have got three wickets and now are just the five wickets away from sealing the series. It was Paul Stirling who fell first. After walking out to bat due to Andy Balbirnie walking back in retiered hurt, Stirling did not last long as he fell to Prabath Jayasuriya! Then Asitha Fernando got rid of Lorcan Tucker. The former bowled a fiery spell and really caused a lot of troubles for the Irish batters. Curtis Campher also did not last for long in the middle. Sri Lanka will know they are just a wicket away from entering the lower-order. They need to continue to hit the right lines and lengths. The wicket is not doing a lot but they need to be patient. Ireland on the other hand, need the current pair to bat long. They trail by over 90 and the visitors will hope, the two can not only bat time but also knock off the trail. An important session coming up.

Shorter and on middle, kept out. THAT WILL BE LUNCH!

On middle, blocked.

On the stumps, kept out.

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

This is worked through square leg for one.

On middle, kept out.

Short and down the leg side. Left alone.

That is a good bumper, Harry Tector does well to get out of the way.

This is way too short now, easily evaded.

FOUR! That is very well played in the end! Asitha Fernando goes around the wicket. Harry Tector just moves away as he comes to bowl. It is short and on leg. This is guided through point for a boundary.

Shorter and on middle, this is nudged through square leg for two. Ireland trail by 97 now.

Length and around off, this is guided to gully.

On the stumps, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on off, kept out.

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

On middle, kept out.

Around off, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

Two! On the fuller side, Andy Balbirnie strokes it down the ground, past silly mid on for two.

Goes back to bowling short and on middle, this is not played at.

Goes full and this one tails back in, Andy Balbirnie works it to mid-wicket.

Third short ball in a row now, Andy Balbirnie ducks under it.

Yet another short one, Andy Balbirnie evades it.

A short one, Andy Balbirnie ducks under it.

On the stumps, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Good shot! Uses his feet well, gets to the pitch of it and hits it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

This lands outside off and spins back in. Andy Balbirnie looks to defend, it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is pushed towards long off.

On off, defended.

Gives it air and lands it on off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it to covers.

On middle, defended.

On middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Around off, defended nicely.

On off, floated up. Defended.

Steps out but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He keeps it out.

Tossed up outside off, Harry Tector looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Andy Balbirnie walks out to bat again! He clips his first ball through mid-wicket for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Half the side back in the hut for Ireland in the first session itself. They are in deep trouble now with just below 75 overs to go! This is on middle, Curtis Campher goes down one on knee to sweep, it goes off the glove and quickly towards leg slip where Kusal Mendis takes a sharp catch.

On middle, kept out.

Steps down the track and then works it towards long on for one.

Flatter and on middle, Curtis Campher stays back and defends it.

Loopy ball on off, blocked.

Around off, this is guided to point.

Gives it air and lands it on off, kept out well.

Around off, kept out.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On the pads, this is worked to square leg.

On middle, this is nudged to square leg.

Down the leg side, it is padded away.

On middle, Curtis Campher works it towards mid-wicket and takes one.

FOUR! Swept and done so nicely! On the pads, this is played past the short fine leg fielder and into the fence. 100 up.

On off, blocked.

On off, tossed up, kept out.

On off, defended.

On off, defended.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Cut away! Slightly shorter and outside off, this is guided past point and the ball races away to the fence.

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

On off, defended.

On off, blocked.

Another single as this is nudged on the leg side.

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

On middle, kept out.

On the stumps, kept out.

On middle, this is pushed to mid on.

Gives it air and lands it on off, defended.

On middle, this is worked to short leg.

On off, defended.

On off, this is pushed towards mid off for one.

On middle, blocked.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On the stumps, it is kept out nicely.

Floats it up on middle, blocked.

On the stumps, kept out.

On middle, defended.

On middle, Tector works it to mid-wicket.

On middle, kept out.

A loud appeal but turned down! On middle, this one turns back in. Harry Tector looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

On off, kept out.

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

Campher misses out! Short and on the body, this is pulled but to short fine leg.

Flighted ball on off, blocked.

Fuller and on off, Harry pushes it to mid off.

Tossed up on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, defended.

Around off, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, kept out.

Flatter and on off, defended.

On middle, this is worked to square leg.

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

On off, kept out.

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

Asitha Fernando is done with his spell, an excellent spell, on comes Ramesh Mendis!

On the stumps, defended well.

On middle, kept out.

Shorter and around off, this is guided to point.

On off, kept out.

Floats it up and lands it on off, kept out.

FOUR! Nicely played! The sweep shot comes out, this is tossed up around off, it is dragged through mid-wicket and this one races away to the fence.

A short one to end, left alone.

Outside off, left alone.

FOUR! Cut away! Short and outside off, Curtis Campher plays it through point and ths one races away to the fence. Curtis Campher is off the mark in style.

Cops a blow! Takes it on the body! On middle. Curtis Campher fails to move out of the way.

DRINKS! Sri Lanka could not have asked for a better start this morning. They have got two wickets and Andy Balbirnie has gone back in retiered hurt. Still almost an hour to go in this session and Sri Lanka will hope for another wicket or two. Ireland on the other hand, will hope there are no more wickets to fall in this session.

OUT! Onto the stumps! Asitha Fernando strikes! A well-deserved wicket for him. He has bowled brilliantly and gets the reward. The short-ball ploy works! This is on the body, Lorcan Tucker looks to nudge it on the leg side but it hits the inside edge, then the body and then rolls onto the stumps. Sri Lanka now just the 6 wickets away.

On off, defended.

Tossed up on off, this is pushed towards mid off.

Flatter and on off, defended.

On off, kept out.

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

FOUR! That is a poor ball and it is put away! A full toss on middle, this is hit through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence.

On off, kept out.

What an effort that is! Wow! Just two in the end! Asitha Fernando yet again goes full and on the pads. Harry Tector misses the flick, it goes towards fine leg. The fielder runs to his right, dives and saves two for his side. Leg byes signaled.

Another bumper, left alone.

Cops another blow! Shorter and on the body, Harry Tector looks to flick but misses to get hit on the body.

Soft hands! Shorter and on the body, Harry Tector looks to flick but does so towards short fine leg.

The physio is out to have a look again. The good thing is Harry Tector has a smile on his face.

Right off the badge! This is brilliant from Asitha Fernando! Goes short again. Harry Tector looks to make room. He is followed. Harry Tector looks to fend at it but it hits his helmet.

Goes short again, Harry Tector somehow fends it away on the leg side. Harry Tector is not comfortable against the short one.

FOUJR! Timed nicely! Fuller and on off, Lorcan Tucker shows the full face of the bat and hits it past the bowler and down to the long off fence. Scoring runs is also impirtant. Sri Lanka lead by 141 as for now.

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

That was close, that was very close, not sure how that is not given! This is fuller and on middle, Lorcan Tucker looks to sweep initially but then realises the length is way too full, he then tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. Maybe going down leg. There was an inside edge. That is what saved him.

Around off, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

The sweep comes out but it is to square leg.

Very close! That is brilliant, it was all short but this time he goes well. Harry Tector is slightly late in getting his bat down, it takes the inside edge, then hits the pad and rolls just past the off pole.

Continues to bang it in short, ducked under.

Shorter and on middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

On middle, kept out.

Back of a length and on middle, defended.

A short one, Harry Tector evades it well.

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

This time pushes it through and on off, it is guided to point.

Flatter and on middle, defended.

Floats it up on off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, this is swept towards deep square leg for one.

Tossed up on off, this is played back to the bowler.

Easily ducks under that one! On the body, Harry Tector lets it go over him.

Takes one for the side! Another short one on the body, Harry Tector lets it go, it hits him on the body.

That was close! Very close! Would have been a catch to remember had Nishan Madushka taken it! A short one on the body, Harry Tector looks to fend it away. It goes to low and to the left of Nishan Madushka. He looks to take it but it seems to have fallen just short.

In the air... it lands short! Shorter and on the body, Harry Tector flicks it uppishly but this lands short of mid-wicket.

On the body, this time he nudges it around the corner for one.

Was that a chance? NO! Shorter and on the body, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull but it goes off something to the keeper who fails to take it. Ultra Edge shows it was off the body. Tucker is not shying away from playing his shots.

On middle, Harry Tector comes forward and defends.

Loopy ball on off, this is pushed to covers.

On off, defended.

Flighted ball on off, defended.

Gives it air and lands it on off, defended.

Walks right across and looks to sweep, it goes off the inner half towards fine leg for one.

Bangs it short yet again! Harry Tector nudges it towards square leg.

Another short one, this time from around the wicket. Harry Tector watches it till the end and lets it go.

Another short one. Evaded.

Another bumper but down the leg side. Left alone.

Good stuff! He is bowling with some steam here! Shorter and on middle, Harry Tector drops his hands and lets it go to the keeper.

That is a quick bumper! Really good! Shorter and on middle, Tector does well to evade it.

A short one, defended well. A really good over from Prabath Jayasuriya!

Relentless stuff! On middle, kept out.

Really good from Prabath Jayasuriya! Gives it air and lands it on off, blocked.

Flatter and on middle, defended.

OUT! TAKEN! Prabath Jayasuriya strikes! That is wonderfully bowled and it is a superb catch! This is tossed up nicely outside off, offers the width and Paul Stirling could not resist. He goes after it. Slashes at one wide outside off, it goes uppishly towards cover. Kusal Mendis dives forward and takes it inches above the ground. Sri Lanka are 7 wickets away now. 50th Test wicket for Prabath Jayasuriya. Fastest Sri Lanka to do so and second fastest in the World. Outstanding.

On off, kept out.

A good bumper to end the over. Harry Tector ducks under it at the very end.

Paul Stirling is off the mark! Full and on the pads, this is clipped through square leg for one. Good change in length but Paul Stirling was up for it.

On middle, Paul Stirling gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks.

A short one, Paul Stirling stands tall and defends.

The physio is out to have a look. Andy Balbirnie is walking off. Paul Stirling walks out to the middle to bat now. That is not what Ireland would have wanted. They will hope he is fine and could come out later to bat.

Ouch! Andy Balbirnie is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Andy Balbirnie is retired hurt.

Right on the grille. That must have hurt. Short and on the body. Andy looks to fend it away but this gets big o him and hits him on the helmet. He's in pain.

One more short one, ducked under.

A maiden to begin with by Prabath Jayasuriya. On off, blocked.

On off, this is blocked.

Flatter and on off, blocked.

Around middle, kept out.

On off, this is pushed to mid off.

Flatter and on middle, no turn, kept out.

A bumper to end. Evaded.

FOUR! Cut away! First boundary of the day. Short and wide, asking to be hit. It is cracked through point and it races away.

Two more. Outside off, Andy pushes it through covers and takes two.

Length again and on off, this is pushed to covers.

On the stumps, defended.

On off, kept out.

All the days so far in this game has been dominated by the batters. If we are to have a result, Day 5 will need to belong to the bowlers. Sri Lanka need 8 wickets to win the series 2-0. Ireland on the other hand, will need to bat throughout the day to save the game. Just the two results seem impossible, either a win for the hosts or a draw. Which one will it be? The first session may give us a fair idea. Welcome to the coverage.

... Day 5, Session 1 ...

From what seemed like the draw is the best result, the home team has given a superb chance to win this game. The spin-twin will be action on Day 5. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis have to do a lot of talk if Sri Lanka want to win the game. Even a draw is possible if Ireland keep their wickets locked, they will look upon their skipper to play a magical knock. The action kicks off at 0935 IST (0405 GMT). Do join us then for Day 5. Till then, goodbye and take care!

A small phase to bat and Irlenad have lost two wickets in the process. A huge Day 5 coming up for them. They still trail by 158 runs but most importantly have 8 wickets in hand. The day started with Sri Lanka trailing on the score but as the game flourished, in no time they took a lead of more than 200, all thanks to the double-ton from Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis and century from Angelo Mathews. Sri Lanka scored at a rate more than 5 which just helped them to get the lead.

Full and on off, Tector makes a solid block. STUMPS.

Floated, outside off and spins away. Tector looks to defend but misses.

Angling on middle, tucked to square leg.

Tossed up on middle. Tector blocks.

On middle, nudged to square leg.

Full and on off, blocked to cover.

Fuller and outside off. Balbirnie prods and blocks.

Flighted, outside off, Balbirnie blocks.

Full and on off, defended out.

Full and on off, Balbirnie blocks it solidly.

Down leg again, left alone.

This is short and down leg. Balbirnie misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Outside off, guided through point for a single.

Flighted, outside off, driven to point.

Shorter and outside off. Balbirnie dabs it to third man for easy couple.

Flat and outside off, Balbirnie punches it to cover.

Too full on off, blocked.

Flat and on middle, Balbirnie blocks.

Shorter and on leg. Tector goes back and shoulders arms but gets hit high on the pads.

On middle, blocked.

On middle, eased to mid on.

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

On off, kept out.

On middle, tucked to square leg.

FOUR! Tad short and on middle. Tector is quick to rock back and pull it through square leg. 50 up!

Too full on off, Tector dead bats it.

On middle, kept out.

Very full on off, flicked to mid-wicket for a quick single.

FLighted on off. Balbirnie blocks it out.

Full and on off, kept out.

Tossed up on off, defended out.

Flat and on middle, Tector blocks.

Full and on middle, defended again.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Flat and on middle, blocked.

FOUR! Sliding on the pads. Balbirnie whips it through square leg and it races into the fence.

On off, tapped to point.

On middle. Balbirnie makes a solid defense.

Full and on off. Balbirnie defends it out.

Loopy ball on middle, bunted to mid-wicket for a single.

On off, kept out.

Too full and on off, Balbirnie defends with soft hands to backward point.

Flighted, outside off, driven to cover.

Flat and on off, Balbirnie keeps it out.

Full and on off, nudged to short leg.

On middle, defended.

Full and on of, blocked.

Very full on middle, Tector lunges forward to block.

Tossed up on off, defended.

Full and on  off, flicked to mid-wicket for a couple.

On middle, blocked.

OUT! GONE! Prabath Jayasuriya gives a bit of flight, outside off and temps Moor to go for a drive who hits but in the air and to covers where Angelo Mathews dives forward and takes it. It is taken up to check and it is a clean catch by the centurion.

Tossed up on off, Moor tucks it to mid-wicket.

Full again on middle. Balbirnie blocks it out.

Too full on off, defended.

Full and outside off, pushed to cover for one.

Outside off, kept out.

Full and on off, blocked.

On off, defended out.

Outside off, Balbirnie blocks it out.

Flighted, outside off, spins away. Balbirnie looks to drive but misses.

On the pads, nudged to square leg for one.

Too full and on middle, pushed to mid off.

Full and on middle, Blocked.

SIX! Full and on off. Moor goes downtown as he hits it over long off for a six.

Tad short on off. Balbirnie rocks back and blocks.

On middle, nudged behind square leg for one.

Fuller and on off. Moor defends it out.

On middle, blocked.

Spinning around off, punched to covers for one.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Flighted on middle, blocked.

Outside off, pushed to point.

Loopy ball, sliding on middle. Moor fails to defend and gets hit on the pads. Again looked like going down.

Full and on middle, defended.

Fuller ball, outside off. Balbirnie hits it through covers for three runs.

SIX! Mendis gives a bit of flight on off. Moor slogs it down to long on for a six.

Slower one on middle, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Too full and too wide, Moor drives it through covers to get off the mark with a boundary.

On top of off, punched to cover.

On middle, whipped to deep square leg for one.

Sliding on leg, flicked wide of mid on for one.

Flighted on off, kept out.

Quicker on middle. Balbirnie goes back to block.

On middle, Balbirnie blocks.

Flat and outside off. Balbirnie looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge. An appeal for caught behind but there was no bat.

On off, defended out.

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

On middle, blocked out.

Full and on off. Balbirnie defends on the front foot.

Angling on the pads, nudged to short leg.

Around off, pushed to cover.

On off, kept out.

On midde. Another solid block from Moor.

Full and on off, blocked.

Short and on leg. Moor looks to whip but misses.

Full and on off, pushed to mid off.

On middle, tucked to mid-wicket for a quick single.

On off, defended.

Full and on off, pushed to mid off.

On middle, kept out.

On the pads, nudged to mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, defended out.

OUT! BOWLED! Ramesh Mendis gets the first one! Tossed up, outside off and spins in. McCollum gets on the front foot to defend but gets hit on the gloves before it rolls back to hit the stumps. A bit unfortunate.

Full and on middle, played back to the bowler.

Flat and outside  off. Moor pushes and misses.

On middle. Moor flicks it back onto the pads. It lobs to the left of short leg who dives and collects on a bounce.

Tossed up, outside off, driven to cover.

This is full and on leg. Moor prods to defend but gets hit on the pads. An appeal but that was just going down.

Full and outside off, pushed to cover.

Tossed up on middle. Moor prods and defends.

Outside off again. McCollum is happy to leave.

Full and outside off, left alone.

Outside off, left alone.

Length ball, outside off. McCollum looks to defend but is beaten.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! A length ball, outside off. McCollum looks to flick but gets an outside edge which races past the man at second slip for a boundary.

On middle, nudged to mid-wicket.

Full and on middle, McCollum keeps it out.

Flat and outside off. McCollum looks to defend but is beaten.

On off, punched to cover.

An arm ball on middle. McCollum fails to defend again but it was going down.

Tossed up on off. McCollum looks to defend but outside edges it to short third man.

On a length and on middle. Moor misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. An appeal but nothing from the umpire.

On middle, defended out.

On the pads, kept out.

Down the leg side. Moor leaves.

On the pads, nudged behind square leg for one.

FOUR! Ireland are underway! Length and on off, stays low. McCollum whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Century for Mathews! And Sri Lanka have declared with a lead of 212. They were waiting for this moment. Fuller and outside off. Mathews drives it through covers for a couple.

A full toss, outside off. Mathews pushes it through covers for a couple.

Wide! 700 up! Bowls it way outside off, it is left alone.

On middle, punched down to long on for a couple.

On the pads, worked to square leg for one.

Full and on middle, flicked to square leg for one.

Fuller and on middle. Mathews blocks.

On the pads, tucked to square leg for one.

Ireland have taken a review for caught behind. UltraEdge shows no bat and Ireland burn their review. This is full and down leg, spins in. Mathews looks to pull but misses. Benjamin White convinces to take it upstairs but in just hope.

On middle, Mathews blocks.

On middle, nudged to square leg.

SIX! That is huge! Tossed up on off. Mathews slogs it over cow corner for a biggie.

A single as this is hit to cover.

On off, kept out.

On off, pushed to covers for one.

FOUR! Full and outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it late past to third man for a boundary. James McCollum is feeling his cramps and needs some treatment.

Around off, worked to point for a single.

Full and on off, pushed to cover.

On middle, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Full and on off, pushed to white.

FOUR! This is full and way outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva looks to drive but gets an outside edge to the third man fence.

On middle, drilled to long on for one.

Too full and on middle. Mathews flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

SIX! BANG! Full and on middle. Mathews tonks it over long on for a biggie.

On off, kept out.

On middle, defended.

On middle, blocked.

Tossed up, outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva looks to paddle across but misses.

Short and on middle. Mathews pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

Flat and on the pads, Mathews keeps it out.

On middle, worked to deep square leg for a single.

Angled it outside off. Mathews swings and misses.

FOUR! Shorter and on middle. Angelo Mathews pulls it past square leg for four.

Outside off, cut to deep point for a couple.

Short and outside off. Angelo Mathews swings and misses.

SIX! This is short and outside off. Angelo Mathews gets on his knee and pulls it to long on. The fielder is interested for a while but it goes over him, just for a six.

Tossed up, outside off. Dhananjaya prods and blocks.

Full again and this is worked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.

Short and on off, Dhananjaya works it to long on for one.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, punched to long on for one.

Flat and on off, blocked out.

On off, kept out.

Flat and on off, Dhananjaya blocks.

Dinesh Chandimal looks in serious pain. It is his right-shoulder. He is limping off the field.

Ouch! Dinesh Chandimal is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Dinesh Chandimal is retired hurt.

On middle. Chandimal flicks it to mid-wicket. He is halfway mark down before he rushes back to his crease and has to dive as Benjamin White throws it to the batter's end. Chandimal is in some pain. He has damaged his shoulder while Benjamin White is also rubbing his right knee.

Flat and on off, pushed to cover.

Full and on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

We are back. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal walk out to the middle. Benjamin White to bowl.

...Day 4, Session 3...

Sri Lanka were trailing by three runs at the end of first session and now they lead by 158 runs. That just tells you the story. A complete domination by them. It was time for Kusal Mendis to gather some momentum as after Nishan Madushka, Mendis notched a double-century before getting out. However, Angelo Mathews joined and scored a quick fifty. There is nothing to write about Ireland who continue to toil hard and just hope the home declares now as the wickets are hard to come by. We feel, Sri Lanka will bat for an hour in the final session before going all-in with the ball. That hour could be an entertaining one. Join us for the final session in some time.

FOUR! Clever! Full and outside off. Chandimal reverse hits it through point for a boundary. 650 up! That will be TEA.

Full and angled outside off. Dinesh Chandimal prods to defend but misses.

On off, kept out.

On middle, Mathews pulls it to square leg where the fielder slips and lets it through for one.

Shorter and outside off, punched to sweeper cover for a single.

On middle, worked to square leg for one.

Around off, pushed to covers for one.

Flighted, outside off and spins away. Mathews swings across but misses.

On off, worked to mid on for one.

FOUR! Floated, outside off. Dinesh Chandimal heaves it through mid-wicket for another boundary.

Flighted, outside off, driven to deep cover for two more.

On off, kept out.

Outside off, punched to covers for a single.

Shorter and outside off. Dinesh Chandimal looks to cut but misses.

Tossed up on middle. Dinesh Chandimal chips it to mid on.

Full and on off, pushed to cover for one.

On middle, blocked out.

FOUR! This is full and on off, Mathews reverse sweeps it through point for a boundary.

Full and on off, blocked.

OUT! TAKEN! MENDIS GOES! End of a marathon innings from him! What a display of batting from Mendis. Full and outside off. Mendis tries to loft it over long off and he almost does but Matthew Humphreys there leaps and takes with both hands. He was tracking back and does well to lob it near the ropes and take it back. The third umpire checks it and feels it is fine. Out it is!

On middle, whipped behind square leg for a couple.

FOUR! Edged away! Length and outside off. Mendis looks to cut but gets an outside edge past the keeper to third man.

Fuller and outside off. Mathews smashes it to long off for a single.

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

Flat and on middle, Mathews whips it through square leg for a brace. Fifty for Mathews. Sri Lanka are on a roll here. They lead by 129 runs now.

On middle, Mathews keeps it out.

On middle, blocked.

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

A single as this is played to long on.

Short and down leg. Mathews looks to pull but misses.

Full and on middle. Mathews works it to long off for one.

On middle, Mathews pushes it to mid off.

Full and on off, pushed to cover.

Full and on off, pushed to cover.

FOUR! Full and on off, Mendis heaves it to deep mid-wicket for boundary.

Full and outside off, pushed through point for couple.

Tossed up on off, Mathews blocks.

On middle, kept out.

Shorter on off, pulled to deep square leg for one.

On middle, blocked out.

On middle, flicked to square leg for one.

On off, pushed to long off for one,

Outside off, pushed to cover.

Length and outside off, left alone.

Shorter and on off, Mendis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Four! Fuller and outside off, Mendis lofts it over mid off for a bouncer.

On middle, tucked to mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, guided to deep point for one. 600 up.

On off, kept out.

On the pads, tucked to mid-wicket for a single.

On middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and on middle, flicked to deep square leg for two.

On middle, tucked to mid-wicket for one.

Full and on leg. Mendis sweeps it straight to leg slip.

Outside off, cut to point for a single.

On off, pushed to covers for a single.

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

On off, pushed to cover.

On middle, kept out.

Six! A full toss, outside off. Mendis skips down and hits it down the ground for a biggie.

On middle, whipped to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Fuller and on off. Mendis slog-sweeps it to deep square leg. The fielder there dives to his left but fails to hold on. Four.

SIX! Hammered! Full and on middle. Mendis skips down and whacks it over long on for a six.

On middle. Mendis defends on the front foot.

On middle, worked to long on for one.

FOUR! Full and on off, a googly. Mathews reverse sweeps it through point for a boundary.

On middle, nudged to square leg for a single.

SIX! Flatter and on middle. Mathews comes down the track and slams it over long on for a biggie.

Too full and on off, kept out.

Full and on off, pushed to long off for one.

Outside off, left alone.

Shorter and on middle, bunted to square leg for one.

A single as this is hit to long on.

Tossed up on middle. Mathews blocks.

Full and on middle. Mathews works it to square leg for a couple.

Full and outside off, Mathews defends.

Full and on off, Mathews blocks.

On middle, kept out.

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

On middle, blocked.

Double-century for Mendis! A huge applause for him from the home crowd. What an innings. This is full and on off, tucked to mid-wicket for a single. A truly remarkable innings from Mendis.

Outside off, driven to mid off for a single.

Full and outside off. Mendis drops it to point for one.

On off, blocked.

On middle, nudged again to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on off, Mathews flicks it to mid-wicket.

Too full and on off. Mathews blocks.

This is full and outside off, Mathews looks to reverse sweeps but misses.

Fuller and on middle. Mathews blocks.

Full and on off, defended out.

FOUR! Mendis races to 198! Full and on the pads, angling in. Mendis helps it to fine leg for four.

FOUR! Well played! Shorter and on off. Mendis dabs it to third man for a boundary.

Short and outside off, cut to deep point for a couple.

Full and on off, pushed to mid off.

SIX! Big one now! Full and on off. Mendis smacks it over long on for a six.

FOUR! Smashed! This is full and on off. Mendis lofts it straight down the ground for a boundary.

Outside off, cut to point for a single. A no ball as Curtis Campher overstepped.

On middle, tucked to mid-wicket.

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

FOUR! Flighted on leg. Mathews sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.

Tossed up on middle, blocked.

On middle, eased down to long on for one.

Full and on middle, Mendis flicks it to mid-wicket.

On middle, defended out.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Shot!Full and on off. Mathews heaves it over mid on for a boundary.

Outside off, guided to cover.

Length ball, outside off, Mathews punches it to cover.

On middle, blocked.

A single as this is pushed down to long off.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side.

Fuller and on middle, this is pushed to mid on.

On off, Angelo Mathews pushes it to covers.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

On off, defended.

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

On off, defended.

On the stumps, kept out.

FOUR! Glorious! Fuller and on off,this is timed through covers for a boundary.

Around off, this is pushed to cover.

On the stumps, kept out.

On middle, kept out.

Around off, defended.

On the stumps, kept out.

Around off, kept out.

On off, blocked.

On off, defended.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

Around off, kept out.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On off, defended.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

On off, this is lofted over mid off for two.

A single as this is eased down to long on.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On off, defended.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is pushed towards cover.

A single as this is worked through mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is pushed through covers for one.

On the stumps, kept out.

On off, kept out.

On off, this is pushed through covers for no runs.

On off, defended.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

On the stumps, defended.

On off, kept out.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

FOUR! That is glorious! Fuller and on middle, this is timed down the ground and to the long on fence.

On middle, kept out.

Two! Shorter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for two. 500 up for Lanka.

On off, this is pushed to mid off.

Around off, kept out.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off for one.

On off, kept out.

This time he works it through mid-wicket for one.

On the pads, this is flicked through mid-wicket for no runs.

On middle, this is worked to short leg.

Tossed up on off, kept out.

Outside off, easy leave.

On the stumps, defended.

On middle, kept out.

Angled into the pads from wide of the crease, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, blocked.

On middle, this is defended nicely.

A loud appeal but turned down! Ireland review. Looks close. OUT! THREE REDS! Stop the press, Ireland have managed to break the mammoth stand. Nishan Madushka walks back shortly after getting to his double ton. Finally, a wicket for Andy McBrine who has toiled hard! This lands on middle and turns back in. Nishan Madushka goes back and looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The review is used to good use. End of a magical knock from Nishan Madushka!

On middle, blocked.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is swept through square leg for one.

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one. SRI LANKA LEAD BY 2!

On off, this is blocked.

On off, defended well.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Around off, this is pushed to mid off.

Length and on off, defended.

Another single as this is worked through mid-wicket.

A single as this is pushed down to long on.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Flatter and on off, this is guided through point for one.

A run straightaway! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled hard towards deep mid-wicket for one.

We are back for the afternoon session! The Lankan batters, Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka will resume their innings. Andy McBrine to begin.

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Another session dominated by the bat as Sri Lanka have not lost a wicket and yet again scored freely. They trail by just the three now. Both Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka continued to enjoy the conditions. Mendis got his ton up whereas Madushka got his double century up. We might just see them up the ante now after the break. Ireland on the other hand, were better than they were with the ball today. However, they did not enjoy any success in the first session but the lines and lengths were a lot better. They need to continue to be patient and be disciplined. Join us for the second session after the break.

Around off, this is pushed to cover. THAT WILL BE LUNCH!

On off, kept out.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

On middle, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

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

FOUR! Brings up his 200 in style! A brilliant knock from the young man and it has been an entertaining one. Gets there by cutting this through point for a boundary.

On middle, blocked.

BEATEN! Shorter and outside off, Nishan Madushka looks to cut but is beaten.

A full toss, this is swept through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is played towards deep mid-wicket for one.

On the stumps, blocked.

Around off, kept out.

On middle, defended.

On off, kept out.