Ireland continue battle to claim draw in Sri Lanka

Ireland's bowlers struggled to take wickets in sapping conditions on day four in Galle as Sri Lanka mounted 704-3 declared, led by Kusal Mendis’ 245, before the hosts claimed two early wickets to help set up an intriguing fifth day as Ireland fight to save a draw.

Sri Lanka started the day on 357-1, trailing Ireland by 135 runs. The Ireland bowlers searched in vain for a breakthrough in the morning session, with mistakes from the Sri Lanka batters few and far between.

The occasional aerial sweep looked the most likely path to a wicket, but on the rare occasion the shot was mishit the ball landed safely.

Kusal Mendis passed 150 from 193 balls with 10 fours and brought up the landmark with his eighth six. Shortly before lunch, Nishan Madushka reached 200 from 323 balls after making his maiden Test century on day three.

After the breakthrough, Andy McBrine finally broke the partnership worth 268 runs. Bowling from around the wicket to the right-handed Madushka, McBrine managed to rap the pads with one which was shown to be pitching on leg stump after a review from Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie. The Sri Lanka opener ended on 205 from 339 balls, including 22 fours and a six.

The wicket brought a period of calm from the batters, as they looked to tick over and prevent more wickets from falling. But with the hosts needing some quick runs to give themselves enough time to have a chance of forcing a result, both batters began to take more risks and go over the top. Angelo Mathews had scored just 12 from his first 31 balls before unleashing a lofted shot down the ground for four off the bowling of Curtis Campher.

Campher’s next over saw Kusal step up his aggression too, hitting three fours and a six in the over. That maximum, the