Sri Lanka stamped their authority on Ireland in the second Test of the two-match series as they took a massive 212-run lead on Day 4 in Galle. Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis emerged as the top scorers for the home side in the first innings as the duo scored a double-hundred each.
Resuming their innings on 357/1 on Day 4, Mendis and Madushka extended their partnership to 268 for the second wicket, with the latter completing his double hundred in the first session. The 23-year-old smacked 22 fours and one six in his maiden ton while Mendis completed his ninth Test ton off just 131 balls.
Andy Mcbrine ended the wicket drought for his side as he broke the massive stand post lunch by trapping Madushka in front of the stumps. The youngster departed after playing a sublime knock of 205 which helped his side eat away Ireland’s first innings total of 492.
Following his dismissal, Kusal Mendis took the innings forward as he continued his marathon knock and brought up his first Test double hundred as Sri Lanka continued to pile on the misery on Ireland. Mendis was involved in a 133-run stand for the third wicket with Angelo Mathews as he helped Sri Lanka extend their lead beyond 100. Mendis was finally dismissed on 245 off 291, clobbering 18 fours and 11 sixes in his knock.
After Mendis’ double hundred and Mathews’ quickfire hundred off just 114 balls, Sri Lanka declared their innings on 704/3. The hosts ended the day on a high as they dismissed both the openers before stumps. Ramesh Mendis bowled James McCollum for 10 off 16 while Prabath Jayasuriya, who picked a fifer in the first innings, dismissed Peter Moor for 19 off 39 as Ireland finished Day 4 on 54/2, with skipper Andrew Balbirnie and Harry Tector batting in the middle.