SL vs Ire: Ireland make highest Test total as Campher and Stirling notch hundreds

Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher struck centuries as Ireland made their highest Test score of 492 all out on day two against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Stirling (103 off 181 balls) and Campher (111 off 229) became the third and fourth players to notch a Test ton for Ireland, after Lorcan Tucker against Bangladesh earlier this month and the now-retired Kevin O'Brien versus Pakistan during the side's debut Test in 2018.

Ireland's total of 339 against Pakistan at Malahide five years ago had remained their best Test score but the tourists waltzed past that against Sri Lanka on Tuesday after resuming on 319-4.

Sri Lanka had reached 81-0 before bad light brought early stumps, with captain Dimuth Karunaratne 39 not out and Nishan Madushka unbeaten on 41.

Stirling, who had to retire hurt with cramp on the first afternoon when on 74, returned to the crease the following day at 321-5 once Tucker was out to Vishwa Fernando for 80.

Stirling went on to clinch his century with a six off Asitha Fernando, the fourth maximum he managed in his innings, as he shared a stand of 64 with Campher before holing out off Asitha.

Campher had added 89 with Tucker and shared the same partnership with Andy McBrine (35) following Stirling's dismissal, bringing up his maiden hundred from 209 balls with a pulled four.

The South Africa-born all-rounder was eventually out to a stunning slip catch from Dhananjaya de Silva as he tried to drive left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya (5-174).

Ireland were trounced by an innings and 280 runs in the series opener at the same venue and need to win the second Test for a series draw.

Ireland have lost all five of their matches since being awarded Test status in 2017, beaten by Pakistan, Afghanistan, England and Bangladesh prior to last week's thumping at the hands of Sri Lanka.