SL VS IRE - 2nd Test, Ireland tour of Sri Lanka, 2023

Karunaratne collects the trophy as the Sri Lankan players pose with the trophy in front of the Champions banner. Ireland were beaten with ease in the first Test, but the visitors managed to put up a good fight in this game. The result might not have gone in their favour, but the centuries by Campher and Stirling, and the pivotal contributions by Tector, Balbirnie and Tucker were few of the positives for Ireland. Meanwhile, for Sri Lanka, the double centuries by Kusal Mendis and Madushkha, and the centuries by Mathews and Karunaratne set the tone as the spinners weaved their magic, giving them a sweet 2-0 victory. That's all from our side from this game folks. We'll be back with some IPL action later tonight. For now, goodbye and take care!

Dimuth Karunaratne: Pitch was very different, it was a batter friendly track. The bowlers bowled really well, the fast bowlers and Ramesh Mendis, the way he bounced back. If they could get 500, of course we could get more than 500, I knew that. Runs matter for the batters, it will boost their confidence. Dhananjaya couldn't get a big one, but I know he will bounce back. Rest of them chipped in with good contributions. I asked the bowlers to give their best with rain around the corner. The way Asitha Fernando bowled and got reverse swing, that was amazing, we need such performances in away matches. The way Ramesh Mendis bowled, I know he can do much better than that. Hope he'll do well against Pakistan in the upcoming series..

Andrew Balbirnie: I am fine, it was a good spell of bowling, Tector played really well. We have to take positives, taking this game to day 5. We wanted to play our best cricket and show the world we can play this format. We don't play a lot of red ball cricket. Our group has learnt a lot in the last two weeks. It's been amazing, Sri Lanka is a lovely place to play cricket. I hope we have entertained our fans and also the Sri Lankan locals.

Kusal Mendis, Player of the Series: It was a challenge and I need to accumulate runs, had no idea about the sixes I hit.

Jayasuriya, Player of the Match: This was a different wicket compared to the first game, was a batter friendly wicket. We just tried to stick to our basics. Patience is important on such wickets. I am good, my shoulder is good.

Stay around for the post match presentations..

Ramesh Mendis - I'm really happy with my and the team's performance. My line and length was consistent, I really like bowling here in Galle. Proud moment for us.

14:40 Local Time, 09:10 GMT, 14:40 IST: Sri Lanka - 2 | Ireland - 0. The hosts have come out on top with flying colors once again. Ireland put up a brave fight in the first innings notching up a big total of 492, but Sri Lanka eclipsed that quite nonchalantly by posting a gargantuan score of 704/3 before they declared. Having gained a lead of 212 runs, Ireland were put far behind in the game, and from that point, only two results possible, either a Sri Lankan win or a draw. The Ireland openers were dismissed early by the spinners and the rest of the batters also couldn't chip in with significant contributions, barring, of course Harry Tector. He single-handedly put up a brilliant fight, frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers, until Asitha Fernando came back into the attack and finished things off. A comfortable win of an innings and 10 runs for Sri Lanka. Not to forget Ramesh Mendis' 5-wicket haul that was one of the highlights of day 5.

Asitha Fernando to Benjamin White, out Bowled!! Benjamin White is the last man out! Full and quick on middle and leg, the ball shapes back and flicks the batter's pads before it strikes timber. Asitha Fernando punches the air in delight as the players shake hands and celebrate victory. End of a brilliant fight by Ireland that! Benjamin White b Asitha Fernando 0(1)

Asitha Fernando to Benjamin White, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Benjamin White, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Asitha Fernando to Tector, out Bowled!! Knocked him over! Just before this ball, Tector had stopped Asitha Fernando in his run-up, and that seems to have fired him up. Charges in and bowls a terrific yorker that tails back in. Tector tries to squeeze it out, but gets beaten for pace and the stumps have absolutely been shattered. Asitha Fernando roars out loud as he brings an end to Tector's vigil. Tector b Asitha Fernando 85(189) [4s-8 6s-3]

Asitha Fernando to Tector, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Asitha Fernando to Tector, no run, full and quick on leg, Tector gets hit on the pads

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, too full on off, Humphreys defends it off his front foot

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, taps this shorter delivery to cover

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, flatter delivery on off, Humphreys steers it to point

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, dips in front of the batter who digs it out

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, blocked by Humphreys as the bowler goes full

P Jayasuriya to Humphreys, no run, floated on off, Humphreys defends it off his front foot