After being thumped in the first match, Ireland have come stronger in the second one. Captain Balbirnie led the platform for Ireland, Tucker and Stirling kept the impetus towards them throughout the day.

Ireland lost their openers earlier the day as both McCollum and Moor had a barren start to the innings. But Bilbirnie and Paul Stirling did see the storm of first hour properly. They mixed of aggression and defence to put SL on the backfoot. Bilbirnie played a fantastic innings of 95 from 163 balls and missed his century agonizingly by 5 runs. While the latter one Stirling made a fluent 74 off 133 balls, which is his maiden test fifty. However, he got cramps and was retired hurt in the 61st over and went off the field despite being not out.

Lorcan Tucker replaced him and he didn't despond the Irish fans. He was fluent and was at his best in shot making. He made a beautiful unbeaten 78 off only 102 deliveries before the stumps. While his partner Curtis Campher scored 27 off 64 balls.

Ireland are 319-4 after the stumps, they're in a much better position. They'll be hoping Stirling to be fine by the night and comeback stronger tomorrow morning. Stirling and Tucker can put Ireland to a formidable position. On the other hand, SL will have to regroup themself to get wickets and restrict Ireland to a per total in the batting paradise, elsewise the situation might go out of their hands.