Balbirnie takes Ireland to 319-4 on Day One v SL

Ireland`s Paul Stirling plays a shot during the first day of the second and final cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Ireland at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle. Pic/AFP

A record Irish stand of 115 between skipper Andy Balbirnie (95) and Paul Stirling (74) powered Ireland to an imposing 319-4 at stumps on Day One of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.

The Balbirnie-Stirling partnership topped the previous best of 114 by Kevin O'Brien and Stuart Thompson against Pakistan in 2018, when Ireland had its highest test score of 339 all out.

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The partnership was threatening to grow and both batters were en route to their maiden centuries before Stirling went off the field following a cramp.

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