Balbirnie: Ireland ‘not too down’ regardless of innings defeat
Ireland could have lost by an innings, however they batted for greater than two days, scored virtually 700 runs, and took the sport deep into the fifth day. All in all, given the circumstances, this was an encouraging consequence, mentioned captain Andy Balbirnie after the second Test in Galle.
Having been blown away in three days in the first Test, Ireland competed for big elements of the second. Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher hit maiden centuries after Balbirnie had set the tone together with his personal 95. They hit 492 within the first innings, then 202 within the second in 77.3 overs.
In the primary Test, they’d been blown away for 143 and 168, failing to final 55 overs in both innings.
“We’re not too down in the change-room about this result,” Balbirnie mentioned. “We wanted to bounce back from the disappointment of the first game, and I think we did that. If we were being hyper-critical, we could have had more runs in the first innings, because that was the best time to bat. But to have two first-time centurions – these are big moments for these cricketers. We are disappointed we didn’t get a draw but we played good cricket.”
This was Ireland’s sixth Test. They had misplaced all 5 earlier matches.
“We are very young in our Test career, so you have to take these little wins. It’s the first time we’ve played five full days. I know there was a bit of rain around, but we got into the middle session on the fifth day, still believing we could get a draw.
“We knew it will be very robust to win the sport. To take 20 wickets on the market would have been very tough. We need to take small steps. A variety of the perfect groups on the earth have not received Tests this early. It’s going to take time. We have to ensure the gamers are uncovered to the pink ball as a lot as doable.”
While Ireland did bat better in this game, their bowling was ineffective. They conceded 704 for 3 in Sri Lanka’s only innings. Two Sri Lanka batters made double-hundreds and none were dismissed before they reached triple figures.
“We’re introduced up in Ireland the place the wickets favour seam bowling,” Balbirnie said. “It’s so completely different right here, as sizzling as it’s, and the Kookaburra ball would not do loads, notably when it goes comfortable. You have high-class batters who’re wonderful in these situations.
“The guys tried their hardest out there. Can’t fault them at all. I know they were 700 for 3, but whenever I gave someone the ball, they had no hesitation. They just kept running in. “
Harry Tector was Ireland’s greatest batter within the second innings, going through 189 deliveries for his 85, because the group strove for a draw. His greatest battle was with Asitha Fernando, who delivered a hostile spell of brief bowling early within the day, which Tector survived. Tector had additionally been amongst Ireland’s higher batters within the first Test.
“Harry played really well. He played the situation brilliantly. To see out that barrage the way he did this morning is a credit to him. He’ll take a lot from this trip as a Test-match cricketer.
“A variety of our batters have performed very well over right here. It has been robust for the bowlers. It has not been too conducive for our seamers. But that is all a studying curve for lots of our group. Our subsequent Test is at Lord’s, which is barely completely different. Since we have come to South Asia we’re three Test matches extra skilled.”