Ireland warm-up with a win

Ireland showed useful form in their second warm-up game in Sri Lanka ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 which starts next week. Phil Simmons's men thumped a Sri Lanka A side by seven wickets with more than five overs to spare.

Ireland had received a boost at the weekend when Australia slipped below them in the world rankings. Sri Lanka A made 104-9, with Alex Cusack (3-11) and Boyd Rankin (2-13) the pick of the Ireland bowlers off their four over spells. Tim Murtagh took his first wicket in Ireland colours, going for 24 in his four over spell. Angelo Perera made 32 for the Sri Lanka A, and captain Thilana Kandamby, 21.

Ed Joyce scored a rare T20 half-century, making 53 off 39 balls, while he and Kevin O'Brien - who thumped 28 off 19 balls - saw Ireland home. Sachithra Senanayake took 2 for 13 off three overs for the hosts.