END OF OVER:15 | 16 Runs | SL: 133/1 | RR: 8.86
- Kusal Mendis68 (43b)
- Charith Asalanka31 (22b)
- Simi Singh2-0-20-0
- Josh Little4-0-45-0
That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo. You know what's next. Head over there as we say goodbye!
Losing captain, Balbirnie: "(Challenge facing SL spin) We knew they'd be a big threat. There wasn't a whole lot of spin, but enough to challenge the stumps and bat. We wanted to get 160 or so. We knew they did have a threat of spin on a used wicket, but you have to bat well - be it first or second. Tector is one of our top players, he's had an amazing year, he's an important player in our middle order. (Next game MCG) A lot of us wouldn't have played in a stadium like that - new for us. We haven't played England in 11 years or so - exciting.
Winning captain, Shanaka: "Really happy the way we played. That is the kind of cricket we want to play. (Spinners' utilisation) We knew spinners would play a major role in this game. We used the spinners late tactically in this game. (Mendis' back-to-back fifties) He is being consistent and playing according to situation most of the time. That's what he has improved - it is high-class batting. Now we have that luxury. Death bowling is our key area and the start is important - we did that really good. Want to continue with that confidence."
Kusal Mendis, Player of the Match: "Bowlers did really well. Total was low but I played my natural game. My team asked me to play the first six overs and then contribute till the 10th over. Went for sixes and boundaries. (Net run rate - ever a thought?) We wanted to get it in 17 overs. Thanks to crowd for supporting us."
5.55pm A statement made from Sri Lanka - with the ball, with the bat. SL will be mighty pleased that Kusal Mendis stayed till the end with an unbeaten 68. Pathum Nissanka was not missed at all as Dhananjaya de Silva (31) and Charith Asalanka (31*) put in solid performances as well. But of course the game was set up by the bowlers. Theekshana and Hasaranga impressed with their two-fors, but it was a great outing for all their bowlers, each taking atleast one wicket. As for Ireland, their batters will have to pull their socks up while the bowling looked a bit off colour. Little was expensive today with his 0-45 in four overs. We'll have the presentation shortly.
Here's how the points table looks after one set of Group 1 matches. SL's five-over win has made a big difference.
Lakshitha: "What makes me more happy is the last two shots Asalanka played. Timed them so crisply and showed glimpses of how he played during the last world cup. Hopefully he is quite near his best form going forward, which is going to be crucial for SL's chances in this WC."
CJay: "Thanks EspnCricinfo, there is no enough signal to watch the match onboard the ship, but enough to follow the match on cricinfo !!!!"
END OF OVER:14 | 17 Runs | SL: 117/1 (12 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 8.35, RRR: 2.00)
- Charith Asalanka30 (21b)
- Kusal Mendis53 (38b)
- Josh Little4-0-45-0
- Gareth Delany4-0-28-1
17 off that over with Asalanka also looking sublime with a few more balls under his belt.
Looks like Ireland have just four outside the circle to try and attack the SL batters. Not any slow over rate penalty but a strategy to attack.
A productive over so far despite no boundaries.
Hritiz: "@Mukund It's not 2015. Ireland are not associate team "
Twenty nine more needed in seven overs. Little is back.
END OF OVER:13 | 11 Runs | SL: 100/1 (29 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 7.69, RRR: 4.14)
- Kusal Mendis53 (38b)
- Charith Asalanka14 (15b)
- Gareth Delany4-0-28-1
- Barry McCarthy2-0-16-0
Mukund: "Ireland should quickly put this game behind them - they did everything wrong - batted first after winning toss, didnt put up runs on the board, not taking chances (missed review, dropped catch). Associate nations should look to chase as they can play fearless cricket with a target in sight."
If any of you collect player cards, autographed bats or other memorabilia from cricket games, you may be interested in their digital versions. This World Cup, the cricket world is meeting the world of digital collectibles. ESPNcricinfo's digital collectibles partners FanCraze are allowing fans to pre-buy iconic moments from each match of the World Cup called the Crictos of the Game. We'll also have a weekly video series here on ESPNcricinfo with our experts picking our favourite moments of the week.
Manthan Jain: "So if dockrell is covid positive doesn't he feels weakened while fielding aur batting shami took more than 15 days to completely recover......" -- You make a good point but I am not sure about the weakness.