Sri Lanka run close by Ireland

Date released: 14 June 2009

Plucky outsiders Ireland run Sri Lanka close but are edged out as Jayawardene and Malinga find another gear for Sri Lanka. Re-live every over from our live coverage.

Live coverage

Ireland: 135-7
Sri Lanka: 144-9

Batsmen (runs): John Mooney (30) & Regan West (1)
Bowlers: Pavilion End: Lasith Malinga
Nursery End: Nuwan Kulasekara

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4:45pm Well played to both sides. Ireland punching well above their weight, again, running Sri Lanka pretty close in the end.

The Sri Lankans always had another gear though: Jayawardene picking up the pace with the bat to make the total defendable; Malinga, Murali and Mendis really turning it on with the ball to end Irish hopes.

Sri Lanka win by 9 runs

4:39pm 20th over: They got the 18 needed from that over - just another 18 from this over and Ireland could pull this off! We're going ball-by-ball for what's sure to be a crazy over. Go crazy on your F5 key to refresh the page and keep up!

1st ball: Malinga aborts his delivery as he runs in, waving arms at his captain to move fielders. Gets there in the end, dot ball - no runs.
2nd ball: A swinging toe-end of the bat and they run two.
3rd ball: Swing and a miss - they run anyway and Sangakkara throws down the stumps easily. Cusack's out.

Ireland 129-7 - Cusack - run out (Sangakkara) - 2

4th ball: A delicate bink off the shoulder of the bat - just one run for Mooney.
5th ball: Back down the ground... for four! Great shot but too late - barring no balls and wides, they cannot win now.
6th ball: Full length they run one - but it's not enough.

Sri Lanka win by 9 runs

4:33pm 19th over: 18 runs an over from these last two overs for Ireland to win. This has gone from a "tall order" to an "insurmountable mountain". They've fought bravely but surely they cannot win from here.

Nuwan Kulasekara on to bowl. A fluked inside edge for four will help Ireland's cause though. Kulasekara umimpressed.

There's four more! Wide from Kulasekara and Mooney just gets the toe of the bat on it to nudge it wide of the 'keeper - another boundary.

That's another boundary in this over. Mooney really playing his shots now, an on side drive for four there - good shot.

4:27pm 18th over: Lasith Malinga returns to the bowl from the Pavilion End - another bowler the batsmen would rather have not seen. Then again, the Sri Lanka line-up is filled with them.

The required run-rate is now up around 13 or 14 runs per over. That's a lot to ask of any side, let alone "minnows" like Ireland against Sri Lanka's bowlers.

Malinga just beats Johnston for pace there and his stumps are in a mess. Great bowling.

Ireland 106-5 - Johnston - b. Malinga - 9

Two in two balls as Malinga gets Botha for a golden duck, first ball. Botha walks out to bat and walks right back in again.

Ireland 106-6 - Botha - b. Malinga - 0

Malinga on a hat-trick. Next ball he wants Cusack LBW - but the batsmen run a quick two instead.

4:23pm 17th over: Johnston frees his arms for that one and adds to the few singles from the over with a big six! A lot of power in that stroke.

4:20pm 16th over: Muttiah Muralitharan's back, bowling from the Pavilion End. Probably the last man the batsmen wanted to see.

Just a handful of runs there for Mooney - helped by a misfield.

4:14pm 15th over: Ajantha Mendis back again for Sri Lanka as they look to ensure the impossible cannot happen... Ireland can't win... can they?

Mendis does his best to prevent it - standing aside to let Dilshan take the catch from what was a caught and bowled chance.

Ireland 89-3 - K. O'Brien - c. Dilshan b. Mendis - 0

Niall soon follows his brother back to the dugout - reckless charging down the wicket leaving Sangakkara all the time in the world to complete the stumping.

Ireland 91-4 - N. O'Brien - st. Sangakkara b. Mendis - 31

4:08pm 14th over: 70 runs needed from 7 overs - that makes it exactly 10-runs an over needed. Nuwan Kulasekara returns at the Pavilion End.

Second ball and White's clocked that one - all the way for six! He spun tightly to help that on it's way. Shot.

Four more for White - despite a great diving attempt from Silva on the boundary - Ireland really picking up the pace... well, White at least - O'Brien's still limping badly.

White leaves the one-legged O'Brien still there - he's gone, mistiming another big heave and skying a catch to Sangakkara.

Ireland 87-2 - White - c. Sangakkara b. Kulasekara - 22

4:04pm 13th over: Lasith Malinga returns to the attack, bowling from the Nursery End this time. 73 runs needed from 48 balls.

A good over from Malinga, tying down the batsmen.

4:01pm 12th over: Five from that over - a single from every ball bar the last.

3:56pm 11th over: Sanath Jayasuriya comes on at the Nursery End to bowl, teaming up with Murali in what must be the oldest bowling partnership in international cricket, surely?

Seven from the over.

3:52pm 10th over: There's the breakthrough and Murali's got it! An edge from Porterfield and Sangakkara takes the catch behind the stumps.

Ireland 59-1 - Porterfield - c. Sangakkara b. Muralitharan - 31

3:47pm 9th over: A double bowling change - Angelo Mathews is brought back as Sangakkara desperately tries to disrupt the batsmen's rhythmn.

Two for O'Brien bring up the 50 for Ireland - and the 50-partnership of course for the openers.

The wicketkeeper batsman adds for four more runs with a shot over mid-on for four. Next ball and a mishit runs for four two - everything going right for Ireland at the moment.

3:44pm 8th over: Sri Lanka need a wicket - time for Muttiah Muralitharan, he's brought on at the Pavilion End.

O'Brien's got a taste for the switch-hitting now, even bringing it out against the world's best bowler (arguably) - just one run this time though.

3:41pm 7th over: Great shot! O'Brien can't get near Mendis conventionally - so switch-hits him, one bounce, for four instead!

3:38pm 6th over: Here we go again - four balls left in the over. You'd think O'Brien would ask for a runner (he's still hobbling) - if he gets run out, he'll kick himself. Or at least he'd try, with his good foot.

O'Brien will appreciate that one, four for Porterfield saving them the effort of running.

3:36pm It's that ankle, which O'Brien seemed to hurt fielding earlier, which is giving him trouble. He's having it strapped up. We'll resume with the rest of the 6th over shortly.

3:26pm 6th over: Here comes the mop-haired speed-demon: Lasith Malinga, on at the Pavilion End. A mere 87.5mph with his first ball... practically rolling it down by his standards.

O'Brien sets off on a run that was never there, throwing himself back into his ground just in time but it looks like he's hurt himself. His captain, Porterfield watches on, as O'Brien rolls around in agony, unmoved. Perhaps just wanting to retain his focus...?

As the physio's on the field I'll take this chance to tell you a "portent" for Ireland that I spotted earlier: Even the drinks stands seem to be supporting them. The Gatorade "posts" by each dugout sport a green umbrella, white pole and orange drinks cooler: the Ireland colours.

Then again, perhaps they're just India fans - almost every other spectator at Lord's seems to be!

3:26pm 5th over: Interested in run-rates? Ireland require 7.3 an over. Their current rate? 7.3 an over... Ajantha Mendis on to bowl.

The England boys are in-situ - sitting in the home dressing room, watching this match.

Mendis has an appeal for caught behind turned down and is then, to make matters worse, is called for a wide.

3:23pm 4th over: A good athletic diving stop from Mathews (no, not like that one at Trent Bridge) but it prevents a boundary again though - good fielding.

There's no stopping that one though - Murali gives up the chase half-way as Porterfield plays a smart cut shot for four.

3:19pm_ 3rd over: Some fast-paced running for Ireland now, Porterfield and O'Brien running a rapid three there.

Four more for O'Brien (his first boundary) and this is the first time in the tournament that Ireland's openers have reached double-figures.

3:14pm 2nd over: Nuwan Kulasekara is the bowler at the Pavilion End. Four from Porterfield ruins what was nearly a maiden over despite a great chase down by Lasith Malinga... wow that guy is fast!

Some "yes - no!" running from Ireland brings in the TV replay for a run-out call - "not out" the verdict.

3:10pm 1st over: Porterfield and Niall O'Brien open up for Ireland - Angelo Mathews is Sri Lanka's opener in the bowling.

First runs of the innings - four of them. Porterfield lifting that one over the fielders on the 30-yard circle and it runs for four.

3:00pm Well, well, well. That's a cracking bowling and fielding performance from Ireland. Restricting Sri Lanka to less than 150 is a great effort. It's the batting that's been Ireland's problem so far in the tournament though, they'll be desperate to set that straight today.

Facing the Sri Lanka attack though, that will be no mean feat. Murali, Malinga, Mendis, Mathews et al. A terrifying prospect. And all beginning with the letter M... mmm, mysterious.

What do you make of it? Send us your emails. Ireland fans, you must be delighted? Sri Lanka fans are you worried? Are your team taking this for granted?

Sri Lanka close on 144-9

2:53pm 20th over: Cusack has another wicket - full and fast and Mathews completely misses it - clean bowled.

Sri Lanka 139-8 - Mathews - b. Cusack - 10

It comes to something when Murali is the most senior batsman at the crease...

He isn't for long - Cusack's got another one, Murali swung, missed and O'Brien has his bails off before he can get his back foot in the crease.

Sri Lanka 140-9 - Muralitharan - st. O'Brien b. Cusack - 0

That will be good for Ajantha Mendis's strike-rate - he faces one ball, swings and it goes for four runs! That's the close of the innings.

2:48pm 19th over: Boyd Rankin returns to bowl from the Nursery End. First over of his first spell he got the wicket of Dilshan - how he'd love another here to help nail down this Sri Lanka score.

And he's got one! Kulasekara holes out to a diving-Mooney at deep mid-wicket - great catch.

Sri Lanka 132-7 - Kulasekara - c. Mooney b. Rankin - 1

2:42pm 18th over: Great stuff from Ireland's bowling so far but unless their batsmen can up their game all these efforts will be wasted. Alex Cusack back on.

Mubarak's mistimed that one! Straight in the air and Niall O'Brien's waving off the other fielders - his ankle doesn't look sore now! - he takes the catch.

Sri Lanka 126-5 - Mubarak - c. N. O'Brien b. Cusack - 7

Strike two for Cusack! He's clean bowled Jayawardene a great delivery - it just skidded through and knocked over the stumps.

Sri Lanka 128-6 - Jayawardene - b. Cusack - 78

Angelo Mathews the new man in and if you missed his amazing fielding a few days back - check out our MCC exclusive on it and you can watch it back on YouTube too.

2:39pm 17th over: Four for Jayawardene from the fifth ball of West's over, just shuffling back to push it through mid-wicket to the rope.

2:35pm 16th over: More ones and twos... until Jayawardene turns to hit a four from the last ball of the over down to deep fine leg.

2:32pm 15th over: Spinner Regan West returns to the attack, bowling at the Nursery End.

Wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien looks to be limping a bit. I think he hurt himself in an attempted run-out in the previous over. Could be interesting if he has to run to field or take a catch later.

A single for Mubarak brings the 100 for Sri Lanka from 14.5 overs.

2:27pm 14th over: Wickets coming at crucial times for Ireland - just as Sri Lanka looked to accelerate the run-rate Jayasuriya fell.

And there's another one! Silva looking to force the pace and he just holes out to Rankin at deep square leg.

Sri Lanka 97-4 - Silva c. Rankin b. McCallan - 4

2:24pm 13th over: Kevin O'Brien comes on to bowl - with brother Niall behind the stumps, as ever.

Fifty for Jayawardene with that boundary - five 4s and a six in his half-century (as well as that all-run four). Well played.

2:19pm 12th over: A stutter-step and a full toss from McCallan and Jayawardene was waiting for it and just helps it on its way for four.

Jayasuriya tries to follow suit, dropping to one knee - but the left-hander is trapped LBW.

Sri Lanka 81-3 - Jayasuriya - LBW b. McCallan - 27

2:14pm 11th over: Alex Cusack is the new bowler at the Nursery End in another bowling change for Ireland.

There's the first six of the innings - Jayawardene pivots and carts Cusack clear of the rope into the on side. Great shot.

2:10pm 10th over: Kyle McCallan replaces Trent Johnston at the Pavilion End - Johnston has bowled his alloted four overs.

Four more for Jayasuriya who seems to be scoring solely in boundaries at the moment. Perhaps he just doesn't fancy running on what is a very warm day at Lord's.

2:06pm 9th over: Three men back on the boundary on the leg side for Jayawardene, who sizes up the fielders... and then clips it over the off-side fielders for four instead.

Fifty up for Sri Lanka from 52 deliveries. Jayawardene makes it 55, as he cuts another boundar away from West's bowling.

2:02pm 8th over: Johnston will have a beer waiting for him after the match - Rankin will owe him at least that after falling over himself and allowing that one to run for four for Jayawardene.

A little dink off his hips by Jayasuriya and he helps himself to four more down to the fine leg boundary.

1:58pm 7th over: Regan West comes on at the Nursery End in the first bowling change of the day.

Some over-eager close-range fielding from Ireland there - Porterfield fires it at Niall O'Brien's gloves but hits Jayawardene instead! Grevious apologies follow.

1:56pm Your emails - Christian in London has written in to ask: "Where's the Irish jig music to get the fans jumping?" - I'm guessing Christian's one of those fancy-types with mobile-internet access in the Ground.

Answer is, I'm not sure the ICC have team-specific music for each wicket/boundary - I know I'm getting a little tired of hearing Madcon's "Beggin'"...

1:53pm 6th over: I'm not sure whether to use a "4" icon or not there... Jayawardene clipped it off his hips but last-ditch Ireland fielding stopped it before the rope... but the batsmen ran four anyway!

1:49pm 5th over: Jayasuriya's mounting a one-man rescue bid a the moment as he flicks away four more runs. Sri Lanka are wobbling...

Four more from Jayasuriya will help as he gives himself room and just dismisses that one from Rankin on the half-volley - four.

1:44pm 4th over: Got him! Johnston had a massive appeal against Sangakkara for LBW first ball but was turned down... but second ball he's got the slightest of edges and O'Brien takes the catch!

Sri Lanka 14-2 - Sangakkara - c. N. O'Brien b. Johnston - 3

Great over from Johnston (a wicket maiden) and Ireland are going to do well to keep their feet on the ground at the moment! I bet that's a captaincy challenge Will Porterfield wasn't expecting!

1:39pm 3rd over: "More of the same, please Boyd!" would have been the call from Porterfield as he tossed the big quick the ball for this third over.

Not quite a wicket-taking over this time for Rankin but just singles from it - Sri Lanka unrecognisable from the team that beat Pakistan here on Friday with an express-train start.

1:34pm 2nd over: Trent Johnston is the opening bowler from the Pavilion End. Ireland are bubbling: sprinting to their fielding positions at the change over; firing the ball at each other between deliveries.

A decent over for Johnston - just three runs from it.

1:30pm 1st over: "Big" Boyd Rankin will open the bowling for Ireland. Dilshan on strike for Sri Lanka. If he gets going against this Ireland attack, it could get messy... messy for Ireland that is.

Wow! What a start for Ireland! Second ball and Dilshan's out! He swung widly and just top edged a catch which the sprinting wicketkeeper O'Brien takes easily!

Sri Lanka 0-1 - Dilshan - c. N. O'Brien b. Rankin - 0

"Dangerman Dilshan" would be doing him a disservice - he can be lethal when he gets going, that's a massive wicket for Ireland. Jayasuriya steadies the nerves for Sri Lanka with an effortless four.

Did you know you can hire the Investec Media Centre for your event? Click to find out more 1:27pm Both anthems observed impecably. Members of the press, up here in the Investec Media Centre are on their feet too.

1:25pm The Sri Lanka team look very relaxed. Ireland will hoping they're taking this game lightly. If not... and Sri Lanka are at their best, honestly Ireland haven't much chance.

1:23pm The teams are heading out onto the field. We'll have the anthems and then things will be underway! Get ready for some big-hitting, wicket-taking excitement! You'll get it all first, here on Lords.org

1:10pm Wilson has been nursing a groin injury which may explain his exclusion. Rumours abound that "pinch-hitter" John Mooney may be moved up the order or even open as Ireland look to improve on the poor starts they've been making to their innings.

1:05pm Team news: Confirmed teams are in: Sri Lanka: Sangakkara; Jayasuriya; Dilshan; Jayawardane; Mubarak; Silva; Mathews; Malinga; Muralitharan; Kulasekera; Mendis (in other words, unchanged from their win here over Pakistan).

Ireland: Porterfield; N. O'Brien; Botha; K. O'Brien; White; Mooney; Johnston; Cusack; McCallan; West; Rankin.

That's two changes for Ireland: Rankin and White come in - Wilson and Connell make way. That's surprised me at least, former MCC Young Cricketer Gary Wilson, was Ireland's leading run-scorer in the tournament so far.

1:02pm Toss news: Sri Lanka win the toss and opt to bat first.

1:00pm Toss and team news soon... you'll read it here first.

12:49pm Send us your emails - where are you following the game from today? Who really wants to work on a Sunday? I'm getting paid to watch cricket, so it can only be so bad - what's your excuse? Where do you work? Or are you at home? Or are you one of those flashy-types accessing the site on your mobile or iPhone?

Send us an email - and we'll give you a mention here on the website.

12:44pm Some interesting warm-up routines for the teams at the moment: a slightly conventional "baseball pitching" and catching set-up for the Ireland team; the Sri Lankans are playing a bizarre cross between American Football and netball with one of those whistling-rocket throwing toys.

12:38pm Lord's already filling up nicely - mostly India fans again but a good few Irish trocilours here too... and a few shamrocks as well!

Which team are you supporting today? As an Englishman my loyalties mostly lie with the hosts, certainly later this afternoon but I must admit the eternal love of the underdog and an Irish mother make we long for an Irish win this afternoon.

Wow... if Ireland beat Sri Lanka today, that'd be a shock ranking right up there alongside... well, Netherlands beating England?

12:25pm Just over an hour until the first ball but most of the players from both Ireland and Sri Lanka are on the outfield, warming up.

The Ireland boys have the first of their big team huddles - it's a massive occasion for them: lose this and they're as good as out of the tournament.

With Sri Lanka needing a win to all but guarantee their semi-final place they'll be going all out to win too.

Looking forward to today's play? Send us your emails - we'd love to hear from you no matter who you're supporting: Ireland, Sri Lanka, England or India.

11:30am Morning cricket fan! It's a glorious day here at Lord's - the sun is shining and it already wonderfully warm.

We're about two hours from the first ball of the first match - Ireland v Sri Lanka. We'll have all the latest news from Lord's as it happens.

We'll have live coverage of England vs. India later too - right after this match.

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