Ireland’s Cricket World Cup hopes are over following a 133-run defeat to Sri Lanka.
Andy Balbirnie’s side already faced an uphill battle to qualify for the 50-over tournament in India later this year after disappointing defeats to Oman and Scotland in ICC World Cup qualifiers this week.
Only a victory against Sri Lanka alongside other results going their way in Group B would have kept alive their faint hopes but Ireland were dismissed for 192 in response to Sri Lanka’s 325.
Dimuth Karunaratne was Ireland’s tormentor in chief with a run-a-ball 103 at the top of the order for Sri Lanka.
Karunaratne put on 168 for the third wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 82 before Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy led the fightback for Ireland.
Adair claimed 4-46 while McCarthy picked up three wickets to dismiss Sri Lanka for 325.
It proved far too many for Ireland, who were reduced to 58-4 before Harry Tector helped them regroup with 33.
Wanindu Hasaranga ended Tector’s innings on his way to 5-79 and even though Curtis Campher continued the fight, he was eventually out for 39 which saw Ireland’s World Cup hopes over.
They conclude their Group B campaign on Tuesday when they play the United Arab Emirates.
