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Live updates from Stormont for game two of Ireland’s three-game 50-over series with Sri Lanka A.
Live updates from Stormont for game two of Ireland’s three-game 50-over series with Sri Lanka A.

Ireland lost out by 28 runs in game one – can they reverse their fortunes this time around? Join in the conversation using #IREvSLA and the best tweets will be featured here.
MATCH REPORT

FINAL SCORECARD

LISTEN: Ireland captain Andrew Poynter following their 107 run loss against Sri Lanka A at Stormont today:

The teams meet again on Sunday at Coleraine in the 3rd and final game of the series (10:45am) – free admission.

ALL OVER! Eddie Richardson is caught in the deep off Chameera for 27 and Ireland are all out for 222.

Sri Lanka A win by 107 runs and take the three match series 2-0.

ANOTHER! Young goes two balls later and Prasanna finishes with 5 for 50 off his 10 overs. Ireland are 222-9.

WICKET! And with that another wicket falls – McBrine caught by Jayaratne at long-on for 31. Prasanna again the bowler, he’s got 4 wickets now.

40 Overs: Top over from Eddie Richardson against the Chameera, the bowler who forced him to retire hurt on Wednesday, with 20 coming off it.

Some good strokeplay from McBrine & Richardson in the last couple of overs, but Ireland still a long way off par.

WICKET: Andrew White is bowled for 45 attempting to a sweep off Prasanna to leave Ireland at 171-7 after 34.5 overs.

Tough ask from here with over 10 needed an over – Richardson comes in to join McBrine.

WICKET! Stuart Thompson goes just after bringing up his half century with a big six! He’s stumped by Rajapaska off Pathirana for 51.

Ireland are 143-6 after 29.3 overs

24 Overs: After 24 overs Ireland 108-5 with Stuart Thompson providing the resistance with 36 at a run a ball – he’s there with Andrew White who is on A White 10 from 21 balls.

Ireland a long way behind the rate here more than 8 an over required from here on in.

WICKET! Chameera is causing Ireland all sorts of problems with his pace – he’s bowled Anderson for 32 to leave Ireland on 77-5 off 17.3 overs.

Andrew White comes in to join Thompson.

PICTURE: Best view in the house:

WICKET! A good bouncer from Chameera is followed by a rapid fuller delivery and Andrew Poynter’s (1) stumps are skittled. Thompson joins Anderson with Ireland in trouble on 49-4 after 11.5 overs.

WICKET! Larkin is caught behind by Rajapaska off Gamage for 16 – good diving catch by the keeper! Ireland badly in need of a partnership here, Andrew Poynter joins Anderson – 37-3 after 8 overs.

WICKET! Not a great start for Ireland – Balbirnie misses the sweep shot and Prasanna traps him lbw for 2. Ireland are 7-2 after 2.4 overs.

Decision to open with a spinner paying off for Sri Lanka.

It’s the hottest day of year in Northern Ireland according to BBC Weather, these Ireland fans are making the most of it – free entry at Stormont all day!

WIKCET – 2nd Innings: Back underway here at Stormont – and disaster early on as Wednesday’s centurion, promoted to open the batting today, is caught and bowled by Prassana first ball of the innings!

John Anderson comes to the crease to join Andy Balbirnie.

LUNCH: A late flurry of wickets in the final overs couldn’t stop Sri Lanka A finishing on a massive 329-8 off their 50 overs. The Sri Lankan captain Priyanjana was in aggressive mood as he blasted his way to 111 off just 70 balls, including 15 4s and 3 maximums.

Three other batsman passed the 50 mark on a tough day in the field for the Ireland bowlers, with only Andrew White and Craig Young going at less than 6 an over. Young was the pick of the pace attack with 4 wickets to his name, while White picked up one scalp with his off-spin.

View the scorecard at the half way stage here.

Play resumes in 45 minutes – Ireland need 330 to win.

ANOTHER! Prasanna is run out without scoring – and McBrine is in the action again, great throw from mid-wicket!

Sri Lanka A are 311-5 off 46.3 overs

GOT HIM! Ashan Priyanjana leaves the field to applause from the crowd here at Stormont as he goes for a brilliant 111 off 70 balls including 15×4 and 3×6.

Sri Lanka A are 304-4 after 45.5 overs.

100: Brilliant 100 from Sri Lanka A captain Priyanjana of just 62 balls! Sri Lanka A have moved on to 291-3 off 45 over – gonna be a big one!

What a setting here a Stormont! Not a clound in the sky:

WICKET! Rajapaska skies it to the cover boundary off Craig Young and Andrew Balbirnie takes a comfortable catch just off the boundary.

Rajapaska made 29 – the only batsman so far not to make a fifty! Sri Lanka A are 218-3 after 39.3 overs.

LIVE SCORECARD

DRINKS: Good partnership building here between Priyanjana 38* (35 balls) and Rajapaska 13* (15 balls) – Sri Lanka A have moved on to 169-2 after 35 overs.

Andrew White has finished his 10 overs – 1 wicket for 29 runs with 1 maiden – top stuff from the record cap holder! LIVE SCORECARD

WICKET! Both openers now gone as Udawatte skies it to Anderson at backward square who takes a good catch – good shorter ball from Young that rushes the batsman.

Sri Lanka A are 124-2 after 28 overs – good fightback here by the Boys in Green!

WICKET! And with that Andrew White makes a breakthrough at last in the 25th over! Gunathilaka is trapped lbw for 55 off 76 balls, the umpire thought about it before raising the finger – the captain Priyanjana comes to the crease.

That was a badly needed wicket for the Boys in Green. White has take 1 wicket for 23 runs off his 8 overs so far, good fightback from the Ireland spinners to cut the run-rate down.

24 Overs: 100 partnership for Udawatte & Gunathilaka – the Sri Lanka A openers have moved the score on to 101-0 approaching the halfway stage in the first innings.

DRINKS: Spin at both ends from White & McBrine has dried up the boundaries in the last 5 overs, but both batsmen looking well set at 89-0 after 20 overs.

Gunathilaka 49* (59 balls)
Udawatte 39* (61 balls)

LIVE SCORECARD

15 Overs: Udawatte 34* & Gunathilaka 43* flying along here at than 5 an over – 78-0

White 3 overs, 9 runs, 0 wickets
Richardson 3 overs 21 runs, 0 wickets

LIVE SCORECARD

8 Overs: Udawatte 19* (22 balls) & Gunathilaka 24* (26 balls) going well here for Sri Lanka A after 8 overs on a good batting deck, thery are 36-0.

Young and Chase continue with the ball.

10.50: We’re underway and it’s Craig Young & Peter Chase to open the bowling, top-scorer from Wednesday Udawatte & Gunathilaka open the batting for Sri Lanka A – LIVE SCORECARD

The Ireland squad with President of Cricket Ireland Joe Doherty ahead of play in today’s match with Sri Lanka A:

TOSS: Sri Lanka A have won the toss and will bat first.

Teams:
Ireland: A Poynter (capt), S Poynter (wk), S Thompson, A Balbirnie, N Larkin, A White, A McBrine, E Richardson, J Anderson, C Young, P Chase 12th: C. Dougherty

Sri Lanka A: Priyanjana (capt), Udawatta, Gunatillieke, Rajapaksha, de Silva, Pathirana, Rambukwella, I Jayaratne, Chameera, Gamage, Prassana 12th: L Jayaratne

Plenty of activity on the outfield ahead of the toss – catch the highlights from Wednesday’s game here.

Sri Lanka A warming up on the outfield:

Ireland team in the nets ahead of today’s game:

On Wednesday, Stuart Poynter scored his maiden century for Ireland inspiring a late fightback which ended just 28 runs short against Sri Lanka A.

Full report, scorecard & photos from that match are available here: http://bit.ly/UojShv

Here are the video highlights from that game, including the brilliant knock of 109 from 88 balls by Stuart Poynter:

Good morning from Stormont. Another glorious day here where the sun is shining and there’s not a cloud in the sky for the second of Ireland’s three 50-over games against Sri Lanka A. Play is due to get underway at 10.45am and we’ll have updates throughout the day.

Join in the conversation and send us your thoughts on today’s game using #IREvSLA – the best tweets will be featured here!

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