Shanaka became the 12th bowler in ODI history to take a five-wicket haul on debut
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
After losing the Test series against England 2-0, Sri Lanka turned their fortunes around in the first ODI against Ireland in Dublin as they secured a 76-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Debutant Dasun Shaka punished Ireland with both the bat and ball as he scored a quickfire 42 and took five wickets, while Chandimal scored a brilliant hundred.
Ireland captain William Porterfield and all-rounder Kevin O’Brien both deserve a lot of credit though as they scored a valiant 73 and 64 respectively.
Being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a solid start before Danushka Gunathilaka was removed by Barry McCarthy for nine.
McCarthy struck again in his next over as he dismissed Kusal Perera caught and bowled for 32.
After losing their openers in quick succession, Sri Lanka stabilised their innings courtesy of debutant Kusal Mendis and Chandimal’s 82-run partnership, during which Mendis brought up his half-century, before he was caught and bowled by O’Brien for 51 off 59 balls, which included eight boundaries.
Chandimal and captain Angelo Mathews continued to take the attack to Ireland with an 88-run stand before Mathews was clean bowled by Max Sorensen for 49.
Despite the loss of Mathews, Sri Lanka’s dominance with the bat continued as Chandimal and Shanka put together a 61-run partnership before Shanaka was on his way back to the pavilion following a 19-ball 42.
Seekkuge and Upul Tharanga were dismissed soon after, but Chandimal maintained his composure and scored an unbeaten 100, which came off 107 balls and included six boundaries, to lead Sri Lanka to 303/7 off their 50 overs.
Chandimal scored his third ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
McCarthy and Boyd Rankin picked up two wickets apiece, while O’Brien, Sorensen and Tim Murtagh chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing 304 to win initially, Ireland got off to a good start as Porterfield and Paul Stirling accumulated a 53-run partnership before Stirling was cleaned up by Shanka for 27.
Ed Joyce and John Anderson didn’t stay at the crease very long, but Porterfield and O’Brien steadied the innings with a 68-run stand before Porterfield was sent packing by Shaminda Eranga for 73, which came off 88 balls and included seven boundaries.
A short while after Porterfield’s dismissal, the heavens parted and play was delayed for under an hour, which saw the match reduced to a 47-over affair and Ireland chasing 293 to win.
The rain delay did Ireland no favours though as Shanaka and Mathews ripped through the hosts’ middle and lower order as they went from 159/4 to being bowled out for 216.
Shanaka inflicted the most damage with five wickets, while Mathews snapped up two and Prasanna, Eranga and Nuwan Pradeep claimed one wicket each.