finishes it off in style! Full ball on off and turning in. Mendis gets low and slogs it over deep square leg with ease! Sri Lanka win by nine wickets
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 !!!!"
fullish just outside off. Cut to point, but they can't pinch a single
full ball just outside off. Mendis plays a late jab to deep third. Fielder at short third gives it a chase and pulls it back
good length ball from around the stumps. Cut to deep point
goes for the glory shot, but doesn't come off. Another half-tracker outside off. Tries to slog again but this time it is sliced. Lands well in front of the two outfielders at long on and deep midwicket
gets the treatment it deserved! Half-tracker outside off, bit of turn away. Mendis spots the wayward ball early, moves to the off side and then smacks a sloggy shot over wide long on
17 off that over with Asalanka also looking sublime with a few more balls under his belt.
like a t-r-a-c-e-r bullet! Full outside off stump. Leans into a beautiful square drive that just gallops along the grass
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.
and there's the boundary! Full just outside off stump. Gets low and smacks it over cover! That sounded well off the bat and fifty stand up!
A productive over so far despite no boundaries.
good length on middle stump. Worked off his pads to square leg. Fielder runs around to intercept, but he messes up the pick up, and that allows the duo to take a second run
slower ball, good length on off. Mows this mistimed slog towards deep midwicket again. More running for the outfielder at deep square leg to do
uses his bottom hand to try and loft this full ball on leg stump. Smacks it towards cow corner, and the ball goes high up, but lands in a safe region. Deep backward square runs around to keep the ball down to just two
short of a length outside off. Spongy bounce to the keeper with the batter offering no shot
Hritiz: "@Mukund It's not 2015. Ireland are not associate team "
good length ball just outside off. Slower ball to start the spell as well. Cut to deep backward point, there's a gap there, allowing Asalanka to get the second
Twenty nine more needed in seven overs. Little is back.
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."
full just outside off. Smacks a drive with the turn but stopped by cover
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fifty! Good length ball on off and turning away. Mendis tried to push at it to cover but takes an outside edge past the keeper's gloves. Teasing chase for the fielder at short third, with the ball winning the chase.
will beat the fielder! Cuts this length ball and beats the fielder at backward point. After that Dockrell at deep extra cover tries to run around to intercept, but alas for Ireland
good length ball outside off. Bit of turn away. Slapped to deep point for a single
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.
good length ball just outside off. Tries to cut, but bottom edge goes past the leg stump and past the keeper.
full and wide outside off stump. Swept to deep midwicket from way outside off
back of a length on middle and off. Pulled along the ground to deep midwicket
1W | 1W | |||
2W | ||||
Bellerive Oval, Hobart | |
Toss | Ireland, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2022/23 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | T20I no. 1841 |
Match days | 23 October 2022 - daynight (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Sri Lanka 2, Ireland 0 |
Over 15 • SL 133/1
Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets (with 30 balls remaining)