Priyanjan hundred sets up big Sri Lanka A win
Led by a hundred from captain Ashan Priyanjan, Sri Lanka A's top order produced a powerful display at Stormont which was more than enough to overpower Ireland.
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Jul-2014
Sri Lanka A 329 for 8 (Priyanjan 111, de Silva 60, Udawatte 60, Gunathilaka 55, Young 4-44) beat Ireland 222 (Thompson 51, White 45, Prasanna 5-50) by 107 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Led by a hundred from captain Ashan Priyanjan, Sri Lanka A's top order produced a powerful display at Stormont which was more than enough to overpower Ireland.
Priyanjan, who is part of Sri Lanka's ODI side, hit 111 off 70 balls as the visitors piled up 329 for 8 with a late charge from Chaturanga de Silva who hammered 60 off 27 deliveries. Then figures of 5 for 50 by legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna undermined Ireland's chase from the outset and they finished with 222 all out.
The platform was laid by the openers as Danushka Gunathilaka and Mahela Udawatte added 104 in 25 overs. Although both fell shortly after completing fifties, the innings then gained momentum as Priyanjan began to cut loose during a third-wicket stand of 94 in 11 overs with Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
Priyanjan reached his fifty off 40 balls with his next 61 runs requiring just 30 deliveries. He was particularly severe on Andy McBrine whose ninth over cost 19, including three consecutive fours and a six, and his century arrived the ball after he deposited Peter Chase for his third six.
The last 10 overs of Sri Lanka A's innings brought 107 runs - with de Silva's hitting playing its part - although it may have been even more if it had not been for a late flurry of wickets which meant the last three overs cost just 10. Craig Young could hold his head high with figures of 4 for 44 as could Andrew White with 1 for 29 off his full allocation.
Ireland were immediately in trouble during the chase as both openers departed inside three overs to Prasanna who took the new ball - Stuart Poynter getting a leading edge first ball and Andy Balbirnie lbw sweeping - and by the 18th over they had lost half their side for 77.
The middle order responded with some defiance as Stuart Thompson hit a run-a-ball 51 but the target was always miles away. Prasanna returned to remove White and completed his five-wicket haul with two wickets in three balls in the 41st over.