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  • Sl Vs Ire 2023 Karunaratne Madushka Hammer Tons Guide Sri Lanka Closer To Irelands 492 On Day 3

SL vs IRE 2023 | Karunaratne, Madushka Hammer Tons, Guide Sri Lanka Closer to Ireland’s 492 on Day 3

image-lgxndv0gKusal Mendis struck five sixes in his 83* (Twitter)

Sri Lankan opening pair Nishan Madushka and Dimuth Karunaratne flattened the Irish attack on Day 3 by hammering their respective Test centuries. Resuming on their overnight score of 81-0, the two openers stretched the Sri Lankan total to 228, before skipper Karunaratne was shown the way out by visiting all-rounder Curtis Campher.

Later, number three Kusal Mendis piled on weary Irish bowlers with aggressive stroke-play. By stumps on Day 3, the senior batter now seems to be nearing his own century as he will resume his side’s first innings response on the fourth morning with opener Madushka.

Sri Lanka lose just one wicket on rain-curtailed Day 3

Just 59 overs were bowled on Day 3, after rains washed away the final session of the day. The Sri Lankan top-order batted throughout those 59 overs at the expense of just one casualty, that of captain Dimuth Karunaratne.

The cricketer piled up a rapid 115, a knock laced with 15 elegant hits to the fence. Karunaratne’s innings marked his 16th century in Tests, and his second in succession this two-match series. He perished to a short ball from Curtis Campher at the stroke of lunch, after taking his side to 228 in just a little above 48 overs.

His opening partner Nishan Madushka, on the other hand, batted throughout Day 3 and is currently unbeaten at 149. It is his maiden Test hundred, having debuted in the format a month ago against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis struck five sixes and seven boundaries off the 96 deliveries he faced till stumps, to race to 83*. Both Mendis and Madushka guided the hosts to 357-1, i.e., within 135 runs of Ireland’s first innings effort.

One can expect that Sri Lanka, already leading the series 1-0, will be aiming to mount a huge lead over the visitors before captain Karunaratne calls for declaration.

Brief scores:

Ireland: 492 (145.3)

Curtis Campher 111 (229), Paul Stirling 103 (181)
Prabath Jayasuriya 5-174, Asitha Fernando 2-78

Sri Lanka: 357-1 (77)

Nishan Madushka 149* (234), Dimuth Karunaratne 115 (133)
Curtis Campher 1-47

Sri Lanka trail by 135 runs