Sri Lanka’s leading spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who toiled almost 59 overs for his five wickets said that you needed a lot of patience to bowl on the type of wicket that has been prepared for the ongoing second Test against Ireland.

Jayasuriya who picked up his sixth five-fer in his seventh Test said: “It was not easy bowling on the surface under hot conditions. It was a totally different wicket to the one we played in the first Test. You need a lot of patience to bowl on this type of track and bowl consistently on one spot to get wickets.”

“It was not easy taking wickets because Ireland also batted better than they did in the first Test. We also leaked a lot of runs. 

To keep Ireland down to this total on this surface I think is a good effort.”

Jayasuriya didn’t receive the support he normally gets from the other end from spin partner Ramesh Mendis who struggled with his lines and lengths. “Sometimes when you play four bowlers one of them can go out. It can happen to me or another bowler. But I think that shortcoming was covered by the two fast bowlers to a great extent.”

Jayasuriya said that it is very unlikely the wicket would change its appearance as it did in the first Test.

“It has been a flat wicket from the first day. I don’t think it will change that quickly. Maybe on the fourth and fifth days it may help the spinners. If we bat well and put up a good score on the board, we will be able to get a decision out of this match. The chances are there.”

Ireland’s most experienced cricketer Paul Stirling who scored his maiden Test hundred was of the view that if they were to win this Test their bowling unit must use the wicket.

“I wouldn’t say we have the experience in our bowling unit, we are lacking in general. If we are going to win this Test match it is through using the wicket. We hope the wicket deteriorates over time and we have enough runs in the last innings to put up a good fight.” (ST)  

Stirling, Campher hit maiden Test hundreds as Ireland rack up highest total