Match dates, times, squads, TV and streaming information, and more ahead of the two-Test series
Sri Lanka host Ireland for a two-match Test series
First Test: Sunday, April 16 to Thursday, April 20; Galle International Stadium, Galle (10am local time, 5:30am BST)
Second Test: Monday, April 24 to Friday, April 28; Galle International Stadium, Galle (10am local time, 5:30am BST)
Both Test matches are taking place at the Galle International Stadium, in Galle.
Instead of the initially scheduled one Test and two ODIs, Ireland will play two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle in April. The hosts ended the 2021/23 cycle of the World Test Championship in third, with a whitewash in New Zealand ending their slim chances of qualifying for the final in June.
This is not to say that Sri Lanka disgraced themselves during their series against the Kiwis. They were able to deliver one of the most memorable Tests in living memory, with a scrambled bye off the final ball of the final day seeing New Zealand reach their target of 285.
Paul Sterling is available to Ireland for the second Test (IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka traded blow-for-blow with the current world Test champions and were unlucky to not earn a draw, especially given the performances of Angelo Mathews, who hit a century, and Asitha Fernando, who picked up seven wickets in the match.
Such entertaining and competitive Test matches involving Sri Lanka make it a shame they were scheduled to only play 26 Tests across the 2023-27 Future Tour Programmes, compared to England’s 43, India’s 38, and Australia’s 40. The team they are facing in this series, Ireland, are only scheduled to play 13.
Ireland will be itching to build on their Test performance away to Bangladesh as the side look for their first Test victory. It is not all doom and gloom, as the nation are set to more than double the number of Tests they have played in 2023. These two matches, plus their defeat to Bangladesh, and an Ashes warm-up at Lord’s against England make it four this year, compared to three previous.
With seven players making their Test debut, Ireland gave an impressive account of themselves in just their fourth Test match, recovering from 13 for 4 in their second innings to 292 all out, thanks to a maiden century from Lorcan Tucker, and forcing the home side into a tricky chase of 138. There were also twin half-centuries for Harry Tector, and a six-for for Andy McBrine.
Another inspired performance in Sri Lanka in their first-ever two-match series could be the catalyst required for Cricket Ireland to take the plunge and invest more into the future of Test cricket.
Lasith Embuldeniya is back in the Sri Lanka fold (MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
It is likely that Ireland will name an unchanged line-up for the first Test, given the relative success enjoyed by the side.
Another positive is that the squad has been boosted by the availability of opener Paul Stirling, who has been added to the squad for the second Test at the Galle International Stadium. The opener was initially left out to concentrate on the white-ball element of the tour, but the change in schedule means he can dedicate a greater focus to his red-ball game.
Sri Lanka are looking to bounce back from their 2-0 series lost to New Zealand by bringing back Sadeera Samarawickrama following his six-year hiatus from the Test side. The wicketkeeper, who played the last of his four Test matches in 2017, could take the gloves in Galle with Niroshan Dickwella dropped from the squad.
Oshada Fernando, who also travelled with the team to New Zealand, has been dropped from the squad, whilst unproven leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha received a first call-up. Lasith Embuldeniya earns a recall to the side, with the left-arm spinner last playing a Test in the series against Australia in July 2022. Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara are reportedly rested.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
Galle International Stadium plays host to both Tests (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling (second Test only), Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Sri Lanka are the favourites to win the first Test with the bookmakers at 1/7, with Ireland installed at 19/2. The draw is available at 12/1.
BT Sport hold exclusive rights to the two-match Test series in the United Kingdom. The first Test will be available to watch via the BT Sport app, BTTV, or via the red button. Arrangements for the second Test are set to be announced in due course.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Test can be found on Premier Sports, with the first session of the first Test broadcast on Premier Sports 2, and all other sessions of both Test available on Premier Sports 1.
Alternatively, Clubber TV offers a subscription-based format, with a Test Match pass available for €9.99, or a one-day pass for €3.99.
Supersport will show the action in South Africa and act as the host broadcaster.
Star Sports will air the series in India, while fans can also stream the matches on Disney+ Hotstar.
Viewers in Pakistan can follow the series on Ten Sports and New Zealand audiences can tune in on Sky Sport NZ.
SLRC hold the rights in Sri Lanka, Gazi Sports in Bangladesh, Willow TV in USA and ATN Cricket Plus in Canada.
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