Sri Lanka survive Ireland scare

Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien celebrates afer taking a catch to dismiss Sri Lanka captain Kumara Sangakkara off the bowling of Trent Johnston during the World Twenty20 Super Eight match at Lord's on Sunday.

Sri Lanka repulsed a gallant challenge from Ireland to win their second-round match by nine runs.

Niall O'Brien appeals successfully for the wicket of opener Sanath Jayasuriya. The ball struck the left-hander's pads while he attempted a slog-sweep against Kyle McCallan's bowling.

Jayasuriya was very upset with the decision; perhaps he felt the ball would had missed the stumps.

Mahela Jayawardene put his immense experience to great use. He held the fort from one end to make sure Sri Lanka posted a respectable total.

In a wonderful knock of 78, off just 53 deliveries, he hit ten fours and a six.

Ireland's wrecker-in-chief Alex Cusack, who picked up four wickets, celebrates after dismissing Jehan Mubarak for 7.

Other than Mubarak, the list of his victims included the big wicket of Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Jayawardene gave himself room to hit the ball through the off-side but missed and Cusack claimed his second wicket.

Earlier, Jayawardene shared a 67-run third wicket partnership with Jayasuriya.

Cusack claimed his third wicket, bowling Angelo Matthews for 10.

The medium-pacer bowled a well-disguised slower delivery that Matthews missed while trying to hit the ball out of the ground.

Opener William Porterfield and his partner Niall O'Brien gave Ireland a good start while chasing a victory target of 145 runs.

Porterfield scored 31 runs off 29 deliveries, including five fours.

Niall O'Brien danced down the wicket in an unsuccessful attempt to hit Ajantha Mendis out of the ground. He missed the ball completely and was easily stumped by wicketkeeper Sangakkara for a well-made 31.