Captain Andrew Balbirnie led the way with a brilliant 95, as Ireland reached 319/4 on Day One of the second and final Test match of the series against Sri Lanka. Balbirnie's stunning knock saw him register his career-best Test score and captain the rebuilding job after Sri Lanka took early wickets, reducing the visitors to 43/2.
However, Balbirnie was unable to reach his maiden hundred, dismissed just five runs short in the evening session. Paul Stirling also reached a career-best total of 74 before retiring hurt, struggling with cramps. But, Lorcan Tucker came to the crease and wasted no time in continuing Stirling's pace of attack, hitting two fours in his second over at the crease.
Tucker notched his half-century with a boundary to punish Sri Lanka at the end of a long day in the heat, finishing unbeaten on 78. The knock saw him surpass Kevin O'Brien's record of 270 Test runs for Ireland earlier in the day, and he now holds the record for the leading Test run-scorer for Ireland in just his third Test match.
The two batting stalwarts, Balbirnie and Stirling, led Ireland's dominant performance after Sri Lanka's early breakthroughs. Stirling's aggressive approach saw him thump a length ball over the square-leg boundary for a six to get off the mark on his third ball. However, he was dropped two balls before reaching his half-century, as Kusal Mendis put down a low chance at slip.
After a dominant middle session, Ireland faltered slightly, and Stirling looked increasingly uncomfortable in the heat before the tea break. Less than three overs into the final session of the day, he was cut in half by a delivery from Asitha Fernando and ended up in a heap on the floor. After a lengthy delay and physio treatment, Stirling had to be helped off the field, retiring hurt for 74.
Tucker and Curtis Campher (27 not out) finished off the day with a record partnership for Ireland's fifth wicket. The partnership saw Tucker break the record for Ireland's leading Test run-scorer, as he continued to punish the Sri Lankan bowlers. Ireland will be hoping to build on their dominant Day One performance and push for a series win against Sri Lanka.
Brief scores:
Ireland 319/4 in 90 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 95, Lorcan Tucker 78 not out; Prabath Jayasuriya 2-95) against Sri Lanka