Ireland made their highest score of 492 runs in Test innings against Sri Lanka.

Paul Stirling (103) and Curtis Campher (111) scored maiden centuries as Ireland posted a record 492 in their first innings on Tuesday, the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka. The day’s play ended about half an hour early due to bad light and rain. Sri Lanka made a strong start in their first innings scoring 81 runs without loss. At stumps, Nishan Madhushanka was batting on 41 and captain Dimuth Karunaratne was on 39. Taking advantage of the ideal conditions for batting, the Irish batsmen did not face much trouble against the Sri Lankan bowlers.

This is the team’s highest score in an innings of Test cricket. Ireland had previously scored 339 in the second innings against Pakistan in Dublin in 2018. Stirling and Campher were well supported by wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker, who contributed 80 runs in 106 balls. Ireland started the day at 319 for four. Kampfer and Tucker added 99 runs for the fifth wicket. This partnership was broken by Vishwa Fernando. After this, Sterling, who came to bat, started his innings ahead of 74 runs. He had retired hurt due to a hamstring strain on the same score on Monday.

Sterling became the victim of this bowler after completing his century with a six off Vishwa Fernando in the first session of the day. He hit nine fours and four sixes in his 181-ball innings. Stirling and Campher added 64 runs for the sixth wicket. Campher then got good support from Andy McBrine (35 runs) and both shared an 89-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take the team’s score to 474. After four runs, Camper also walked to the pavilion. He hit 15 fours and two sixes in his 229-ball marathon innings that lasted more than five hours. Before Stirling and Campher, only Kevin O’Brien and Tucker had scored centuries for Ireland. Prabhat Jayasuriya took five wickets for 174 runs for Sri Lanka. Vishwa and Asitha got two successes each.