Centuries by Karunaratne and Madhushanka, Sri Lanka’s 357 for one wicket

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madhushanka struck centuries in a record partnership as Sri Lanka posted 357 for one on the third day of the second cricket Test against Ireland here on Wednesday. Captain Karunaratne was the only batsman to be dismissed during the day’s play. He returned to the pavilion on the ball of Curtis Campher just before lunch. He scored 115 runs in 133 balls with 15 fours. After Karunaratne’s dismissal, Madhushanka (149 not out) and Kusal Mendis (83 not out) did not allow Ireland to make any further breakthroughs during the day’s play. Both have shared an unbroken partnership of 129 runs for the second wicket.

Heavy rain forced play to be stopped shortly before the tea break, which could not be resumed. Madhushanka hit 18 fours and a six in his 234-ball knock, while Mendis’ 96-ball knock included seven fours and five sixes. The 24-year-old Madhushanka was embraced by the captain when he brought up his maiden century with a four over deep mid-wicket off Harry Tector. Madhushanka, however, was lucky to score 131 when Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie dropped a simple catch at first slip off off-spinner Andy McBirney. Earlier, Karunaratne completed his century in just 116 balls, which was his 16th career and second century of the series.

This is also the fastest century of his career. Earlier in 2021, he scored a 123-ball century against South Africa in Johannesburg. Karunaratne put on 228 for the first wicket with Madhushanka, the best partnership for the first wicket in Galle. The pair broke the record set by Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu against South Africa in 2000. After the dismissal of Karunaratne, Mendis batted stormy. Mendis, who scored 140 in the first Test, completed his half-century in just 59 balls. He hit Matthew Humphrey for three consecutive sixes.