Ireland 117 for 7 (Jayasuriya 5-42) trail Sri Lanka 591 for 6 dec (Samarawickrama 104*, Chandimal 102*) by 474 runs
The hosts’ dominance was more-or-less unceasing through the course of the day, leaving Ireland in a woeful situation at stumps – they are still 474 runs behind, with three first-innings wickets in hand. The pitch has begun to take significant – if not unplayable – turn too. To challenge Sri Lanka in Galle in April’s unrelenting heat was always going to be difficult for Ireland, who have never played a Test here, and are playing their first two-Test series ever. But they will likely need to battle hard on Tuesday to avoid a defeat inside three days.
It was Jayasuriya who did most to advance the match on day two, collecting five wickets for 42 runs, after Vishwa Fernando had removed two Ireland batters in the second over of the innings. Jayasuriya generated drift and dip, as well as biting turn on occasion – the ball frequently testing the outside edge of right-handed…
