SL spinners shine, restrict Ireland to 128/8

Hobart [Australia]October 23 (ANI): Sri Lanka’s clinical bowling restricted Ireland to a paltry 128/8 at Bellerive Oval in Hobart in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

The Sri Lankan bowlers kept things tight and picked wickets at regular intervals, preventing the Irish innings from flourishing and restricting their total to below par. Mahish Tekshana and Vanindu Hasaranga took two wickets each.

Electing to bat first, Ireland openers Paul Stirling and Andrew Belbirnie failed to repeat their batting partnership from the previous match as Lahiru Kumara bowled Belbirnie in the second over of the match to draw first blood.

Lorcan Tucker finished third but failed to make the mark as Mahish Tekshana dismissed him at number five as Ireland found themselves in trouble. Stirling broke the shackles to claim 14 runs from the sixth over with Ireland 40/2 at the end of halftime.

Just when it looked as if Stirling had found their footing to play well again, Dananjaya de Silva sent a strike to deepen the Irish’s problems.

Curtis Kaempfer came to the crease with high hopes for him as he played a superb knock against Scotland but failed to trouble the Sri Lankans as he was dismissed cheaply by Chamika Karunaratne in the 10th over, leaving Ireland reeling at 60/4 at the end of 10 above.

Harry Tector tried to balance the serve and kept the score on the scoreboard from time to time with some great shots. He took Ireland over 100 in the 15th over.

Ireland could manage just 28 runs from the last over five overs after Tector perished in search of a quick run up the order.

No Irish lower-order batsman could provide momentum to the innings as they finished with 128 runs on the board.

Tekshana was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, taking two wickets for 19 runs.

Brief Score: Ireland 128/8 (Harry Tector 45, Stirling 34; M Texana 2/19) (ANI)