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Ireland’s Under 19 cricketers were left to rue their batting frailties that have affected them throughout the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup as they fell one step short of the Plate final to Sri Lanka.

Ireland’s Under 19 cricketers were left to rue their batting frailties that have affected them throughout the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup as they fell to a 109 run loss to Sri Lanka in the Semi-Final of the Plate section of the tournament.

Ireland were in a position of relative strength with the score at 121 for 3 in the 30th over of their chase of Sri Lanka’s 258, but a dramatic collapse saw their last 7 wickets falling for just 28 runs in less than 8 overs.

It has been the story of the tournament for Ireland and they will be disappointed not to have been able to bat their overs and have a chance at toppling a full member nation and advancing to the final of the plate.

Sri Lanka batted first having won the toss and their total of 258 all out was based around an innings of 55 from Angelo Jayasinghe and an unbeaten hundred from Sandun Weerakkody.

Ireland’s bowlers were again led by captain George Dockrell who bowled his most expensive spell of the tournament but still returned the good figures of 3 for 39 from his 10 overs. Graeme McCarter with 2 for 34 continued his good tournament whilst there were also a wicket each for Tyrone Kane, Barry McCarthy, Adam Coughlan and Shane Getkate.

Shane Getkate top scored for Ireland 46 but Jason van der Merwe with 24, Tyrone Kane with 18 and Ryan Hunter with 11 were the only other Irish players to reach double figures. Sri Lankan right-arm fast bowler Lahiru Madushanka recorded the tournament’s best bowling figures and was named Man of the Match for his performance.

Ireland will now play against the auld enemy Scotland in the 11th place play-off with the winner finishing 11th and the loser finishing 12th, this match will be played in Brisbane on Friday before the side flies home on Sunday.

Sri Lanka U19 258 for 10 (49.3 overs, Sandun Weerakkody 112*, Angelo Jayasinghe 55, Niroshan Dickwella 35, George Dockrell 3-39, Graeme McCarter 2-34)
beat
Ireland U19 149 for 10 (37.5 overs, Shane Getkate 46, Jason van der Merwe 24, Tyrone Kane 18, Lahiru Madushanka 6-24) by 109 runs.

Cricket Ireland
George Dockrell led the Irish attack again © ICC/Getty Images
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