The hosts have been 357 for one on the related, nonetheless 135 runs in the back of however with 9 wickets in hand.
Madushka used to be unbeaten on 149 at stumps, along Kusal Mendis, coming near a century of his personal on 83, later Karunaratne departed for 115 — the one wicket to fall at the 3rd life of the fit.
The primary Check ended inside of 3 days with Sri Lanka’s spinners dominating, however the tone in the second one come across has introduced the spinners slight backup and the batsmen ruled court cases.
Captain Karunaratne reached the sixteenth century of his take a look at profession, and his 2d consecutive ton, in simply 116 balls.
However the left-hander mistimed a tug shot off Curtis Campher and used to be stuck at deep high-quality leg within the latter over earlier than lunch, two balls later he used to be strike at the helmet.
Madushka had already introduced up his maiden Check century, pulling a Harry Tector complete toss for 6.
Their 228 used to be a file Sri Lankan opening partnership on the field, eclipsing the 193 between Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya in opposition to South Africa in 2000.
Mendis and Madushka persevered the run-fest, with the quantity 3 racing to his 83 off 96 balls with seven fours and 5 sixes, together with 3 in a row off debutant left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, who used to be impulsively taken out of the assault.
Malicious brightness interrupted play games earlier than tea, earlier than the rains got here indisposed and it used to be referred to as off for the life.
The anticipation of a draw loomed immense however Sri Lanka batting mentor Naveed Nawaz insisted his facet may nonetheless win the sport “although rain has played havoc”.
“There’s a total of 180 overs left in the game now,” he informed journalists. “If we bat for another 90 overs, we’ll be able to take a decent lead as our deficit is now only 135.
“We’ve wickets in hand and that is nonetheless a just right batting tone.”
Play will resume 15 minutes early on the final two days to make up for lost time.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0.
Ireland fast bowling coach Ryan Eagleson conceded his team’s bowlers “are nonetheless studying and are much less skilled in Check cricket”.
“So you’ve got to offer them date and be affected person,” he stated.
