Stirling, Campher hit centuries as Ireland post record tally

Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher hit their maiden Test centuries as Ireland posted a record total on Day 2 of their Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Ireland were bowled out for 492 before rain brought a premature end to the evening session, with the Sri Lankan openers putting on 81 without loss in the 18 overs possible before the close.

Having retired hurt with severe cramp yesterday evening, Stirling became the second Ireland player after Kevin O'Brien to record centuries in all three international formats, finally dismissed for 103.

Campher played a controlled innings with the lower order to reach his first international 100 in the afternoon session.

It was Ireland’s highest-ever Test total, surpassing their previous best of 339 against Pakistan at Malahide in 2018.

Resuming on 319-5, Lorcan Tucker was only able to add two runs to his overnight score of 78, surviving four balls before his stumps were knocked over by an excellent delivery from Vishwa Fernando. The ball cut through between Tucker’s bat and pad, taking out off stump to give Sri Lanka an early breakthrough.

From then on, however, Stirling and Campher dominated proceedings.

Resuming on 74, Stirling wasted no time in allaying any concerns that he was still struggling with injury. He hit an imperious four through the covers off Fernando to get up and running for the day.

Despite a ball change, umpire Kumar Dharamsena unable to get the still relatively new ball through the ring, the runs continued to flow. By drinks both batters were nearing milestones, Campher three runs short of fifty and Stirling on 96. Campher reached his first, walloping a length ball over cow corner to bring up his half-century.

Not wanting to be outdone, Stirling also cleared the boundary