Wicket-keeper batsman Stuart Poynter hit a counter-attacking century but Ireland failed to chase down the Sri Lanka ‘A’ target of 284 as the visitors won the 1st unofficial ODI by 28 runs at Stormont in Belfast on Wednesday.
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost Kusal Janith Perera early on for 1 run. Mahela Udawatte and Dhanushka Gunathilake added 106 runs for the 2nd wicket before Andrew White who become Ireland’s most-capped player sent Gunathilake back to the pavilion for 57 runs. Dhanushka’s 57 runs came in 68 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Mahela continued on his merry way as he combined once again with his skipper Ashan Priyanjan for the 3rd wicket putting on 57 runs. Mahela Udawatte’s 117-ball stay came to an end in the 40th over when he was caught behind off Peter Chase for a brilliant 88 runs when the Lankan score was on 209.
Spin bowling all-rounders, Chathuranga De Silva (43), Sachith Pathirana (23) and Ramith Rambukwella (18) gave the much needed impetus in the final 10 overs as the Sri Lankans posted a total of 283 in their allotted 50 overs. Twenty four year old seamer Eddie Richardson was the pick of the bowlers scalping a five-wicket haul for Ireland.
In the Ireland chase, Andrew Balbirnie (37) batted well at the top of the order, but Chris Dougherty (13), John Anderson (9), Nick Larkin (0), skipper Andrew Poynter (12), Andrew White (3) and Andrew McBrine (2) all fell cheaply, as Ireland struggled at 103 for 7 wickets in the 29th over, Dushmantha Chameera who took an impressive 4 wickets for 35 runs bowled with venom to trouble the Irishmen. Stuart Poynter battled alone as he maneuvered the Lankan spin attack with ease to accumulate runs.
Number 10 batsman, Craig Young then added 61 valuable runs with Stuart Poynter before he became medium-pacer Dushmantha Chameera’s fourth victim. Ireland needed 116 at that point, with 69 balls remaining. The number 11 batsmen Peter Chase, on his international debut, made an unbeaten 26 in a final wicket partnership of 87 that allowed Poynter the chance to record his first international century on his eighth appearance as Ireland needed an improbable 44 from the final over. Poynter reached his century with a six off the first ball and hit fours off the next two legitimate deliveries but was out with two balls remaining, having struck 11 fours and two sixes in his 89-ball 109.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka A – 283 all out in 50 overs: Mahela Udawatte 88, Danushka Gunathilaka 57, Chathuranga De Silva 43, Eddie Richardson 5/61, Andrew White 2/41.
Ireland – 255 all out in 49.4 overs: Stuart Poynter 109, Andy Balbirnie 37, Dushmantha Chameera 4/35, Ishan Jayarathne 2/41.
