Ruthless Sri Lanka demolish Ireland

Apr 18, 2007

Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and put Ireland in to bat•Getty Images

Maharoof to Botha, OUT, short of a length outside off, no foot movement and Sangakkara takes an oh-so-routine catch. Two balls, no runs ... the experiment of promoting Botha up the order might not be seen as a complete success ...•Getty Images

Muralitharan to Niall O'Brien, OUT, goddim! A beautiful delivery, albeit not very well played. On off stump, angling across the left hander and turning further away from his meek defensive poke, handing the keeper an easy catch just to his left•AFP

Malcolm Speed sits in a packed stand as the match reaches its conclusion•Getty Images

Maharoof to Bray, OUT, slower ball, Bray gets a leading edge which loops into the off side and Arnold races in from cover and takes a good catch diving forward, inches from the ground•Getty Images

Maharoof to Morgan, OUT, the normally cynical office leap up as one at a quite brilliant one-handed catch from Sangakkara. Eion Morgan nicked the ball, Sangakkara was heading to leg, but readjusted and dived to his left, clutching the ball in the fingertips of his left hand. It was almost past him as he grabbed it. Amazing•Getty Images

Muralitharan to Carroll, OUT, gone! Oh dear. Carroll tried to sweep but lost his balance and the doosra from Murali crept beneath his bat to knock over leg stump•AFP

With a target of 77 to get, Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya smashed an unbeaten 24 off 20 balls...•Getty Images

Jayawardene couldn't have asked for more from his fast bowler who was doing a very capable job in Lasith Malinga's absence. Maharoof ended with figures of 4 for 25•AFP

Maharoof to Johnston, OUT, what a piece of work that is! That's quite brilliant. Punched back to Maharoof who dived to his right, plucked it out of the air and threw down the stumps in one fluid motion. It actually ricocheted off Johnston's boot. Sri Lanka have been so slick in the field today•AFP

... along with Jayawardene who remained unbeaten on 39 as Sri Lanka wrapped up the match in 10 overs•Getty Images