Sri Lanka pace stumps Ireland

World Twenty20 champions Sri Lanka eased to a 79-run victory over Ireland in the first of the two-match RSA Insurance one-day international series in Dublin yesterday.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons had anticipated that Sri Lanka would struggle in the cold, cloudy conditions of an early May morning in Dublin, but Angelo Mathews’ side adjusted superbly to complete a convincing victory with 10.1 overs to spare.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield won the toss and chose to field, and his bowlers thrived under the early morning sun, restricting the visitors to 219-8 from their 50 overs.