Saturday 18 June 2016

Kusal Perera scores century in resounding Sri Lanka win over Ireland


Kusal Perera scored a century as Sri Lanka warmed up for their five-match ODI series against England with a 136-run win over Ireland to secure a 2-0 series win.

Perera hit 135 off 128 balls, his highest ODI score, and Seekkuge Prasanna also produced a personal best of 95 - off just 46 balls - as Sri Lanka tallied an imposing total of 377-8.

Ireland could only muster 241 in reply, bowled out in the 45th over, though allrounder Andy McBrine - the last wicket to fall - did salvage a bit of pride with an enterprising 79 off 64 balls.

Sri Lanka next face England at Trent Bridge, in the first of five ODIs, live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka, as in their 76-run win in the first match at Malahide on Thursday, were sent into bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield.

Following a first-wicket stand of 147 between Perera and Danuska Gunathilaka (63), Prasanna was promoted to a pinch-hitting role at number three.

Prasanna dominated a second-wicket stand of 161 with Perera which took just 93 balls, but he fell five runs short of a deserved century - Tim Murtagh (3-66) with the wicket.

Though Perera did reach his hundred, his second in ODIs, he fell two balls after Prasanna as Sri Lanka stuttered lightly to the finish.

Seven wickets fell in the final 10 overs, though a couple of handy contributions from Farveez Maharoof (29 off 16 balls) and skipper Angelo Mathews (24 off 18) helped boost Sri Lanka's score.

Suranga Lakmal took 4-38 as the tourists made light work of Ireland in their reply, the seamer dismissing openers Porterfield (eight) and Paul Stirling (22).

Despite decent knocks from John Anderson (34) and Stuart Poynter (36), wickets continued to tumble at a steady rate as Ireland fell to 187-9.

McBrine though added a bit of gloss to the score - striking seven fours and two sixes - putting on 54 for the final wicket with Boyd Rankin (18no), before defeat was confirmed with his wicket.

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