We are as prepared as we can possibly be for Sri Lanka – Balbirnie

Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie said on Friday that they will be much better prepared against Sri Lanka following their performance in the Test match against Bangladesh.

Ireland, who are returning to Test cricket after almost four years, went down to Bangladesh by seven wickets in the only Test but managed to put on a strong fightback after being 27-4 with a deficit of 128 at one point in time. Through a brilliant batting display, they found a way to take a 137-run lead courtesy a Lorcan Tucker century along with fifties from Andy McBrine and Harry Tector.

“It was certainly backs to the wall stuff on day two and a lot of people probably wrote us off yesterday but our day was as good a Test day as Ireland as had – the character, application and skill,” Balbirnie told reporters at the end of the Test match. Ireland are now heading to Sri Lanka to play two Tests from April 16.