Sri Lanka gathered 276 brisk runs for the loss of just the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne, as they eased into control of the second Test, on a rain-curtailed day. Nishan Madushka's maiden Test century was a highlight, as he added 108 to his overnight score. Karunaratne also hit his second hundred in as many innings, before being dismissed for 115 shortly before the scheduled lunch.

Ireland had another torrid day in the field, with their spinners - with the exception of Andy McBrine - unable to keep a lid on the scoring, let alone put together seriously menacing spells. The surface isn't taking a lot of turn yet, and as such, it does not allow bowlers a lot of margin for error.

By stumps, Sri Lanka had scored at 4.63 runs an over, with Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis having been especially busy at the crease. Bad light forced players off the field shortly before scheduled tea, and then rains arrived to wash out the rest of the day's play. Madushka was not out on 149 off 234 balls; Mendis was on 83 off 96. After the openers had put on 228 together, the partnership between these two was worth 129. The rain allowed only 59 overs in the day.

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Karunaratne Madushka tons ease Sri Lanka into control

2023-04-26 11:27:34