COLOMBO – The Ireland Wolves have scored more than 300 runs in a run chase for the second time in the current one-day series, but have fallen to defeat by 101 runs against a rampant Sri Lanka A at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka.

After winning the toss, the home side batted first for the fourth time in five matches. In-form openers Avishka Fernando (112 runs from 94 balls) and Upul Tharanga (120 runs from 108 balls) put on a 206-run opening stand to bat the home side into a dominant position.

The Wolves bowling unit struggled to contain the scoring rate, however one bright spot was the spin of 21-year old Gareth Delany. Delany took 3-58, and was on a hat-trick at one stage after removing the dangerous Tharanga and then Asela Gunaratne (25).

Sri Lanka A finished with a flourish, ending their innings on 403-7, setting the Wolves an indomitable target for victory.

The visiting sides batting unit were determined to end this tour with a positive display and posted 302 in response. 18-year old Neil Rock hit a breezy 78 from 56 balls, including five fours and four sixes, while Lorcan Tucker hit 53 runs - the third time he had passed 50 runs on this tour. James McCollum (43) and Simi Singh (41) also made good contributions, but the target proved too high and the Wolves lost their tenth wicket on the last ball of their 50 overs.

Speaking after the game, Ireland Wolves captain Harry Tector said:

"While the result was obviously disappointing in the end, our batters posted a good total and on another day with a smaller total to chase, say 340 or so, it might have been a much more competitive game. But full credit to the Sri Lankan batters, they posted a total too big for us today."

"Personally I've learnt a lot on this tour - it's been tough at times, especially going through a run of bad form, but it's about staying positive, thinking on your feet and keeping the lads going. That's what captaincy is really about."

"As for the squad, firstly I'm very proud of the way the lads have stuck together the whole trip. There hasn't been any issue amongst the squad which has been brilliant. Secondly, a lot can happen on a long tour like this, but I think everyone in the squad has certainly progressed, and learnt things they didn't know or didn't have before coming out here. It has been brilliant to see guys like Lorcan Tucker, James McCollum, Shane Getkate and James Cameron-Dow improve – they really put their hands up to show they can more than play at this level, and the level above."

SCORECARD IN BRIEF

Sri Lanka A v Ireland Wolves, 50-over match, 26 January 2019, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo

  Sri Lanka A 403-7 (50 overs; U Tharanga 120, W Fernando 112, P De Silva 50; G Delany 3-58)
  Ireland Wolves 302 (50 overs; N Rock 78, L Tucker 53; D Gunaratne 4-51)
 
Sri Lanka A won by 101 runs (Sri Lanka A won the five-match series 5-0)