T20I Men's World Cup, Game 6, Group B Sri Lanka v Ireland 9/2 2400hrs @ R Premadasa Stadium

[Gough]

Sri Lanka from, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga
Ireland from, Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

 

[Plugger35]

Matty Hayden commentating this game.

Credit to the schedulers, they are putting him on games that no one cares about.

it's actually a pretty good game, Sri Lanka are hitting out and Ireland are dropping catches.

 

[Plugger35]

I63 from Sri Lanka.

A gettable target of 164 for Ireland.

If Paul Striling gets away in the powerplay look out.

 

[Plugger35]

We are set for another close finish here.

 

[Around the Wicket]

No upsets so far... lame

 

[ioppolo]

No upsets so far... lame

Close but no cigar. The big boys have the experience of how to close games out...the little guys just aren't quite there.

 

[PhatBoy]

Close but no cigar. The big boys have the experience of how to close games out...the little guys just aren't quite there.

To be fair to Ireland, they’ve been around long enough that they aren’t really a little boy in terms of experience anymore. They’ve had a lot of experience closing out games at ODI level, t20I level, in bilateral and in qualification tournaments, had some good wins in trophy tournaments.

Their ‘status’ isn’t really an excuse anymore. Their level is, yes, because obviously they’re not as good as the contenders so granted it would be an upset but a lot of guys in their squad have played a lot of cricket at the top level now. If they get close they should know how to win. Paul Stirling has played 332 odi/t20 matches combined, Ross Adair has a t20I century, Harry Tector has played over 150 internationals and averages nearly 50 in one day cricket, Lorcan Tucker was his team’s top scorer two world cups ago, George Dockrell has played 155 t20I matches.

They should have won that match really even with Stirling making not many.