Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis (left), Man of the Match poses with captain Angelo Mathews after the match against Ireland. (AFP)


AFP/Dublin


Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews expects his side to improve quickly once they get used to conditions in the British Isles.  
Speaking after what proved to be a comfortable 79-run victory over Ireland in Dublin, in the first of two ODIs before they arrive in England for a Test match and full ODI series, Mathews admitted it was a sluggish start but was encouraged by the performance.  
“The guys were a bit scrappy today but to get over the line was a good effort,” he said. “It’s only the start of the tour and when we adapt to the conditions we will perform better and better.”
As expected, spin bowlers proved the match-winners and Mathews always thought their total of 219 for eight would be enough. “I knew I had the bowlers to defend the total. The pitch played pretty slow in the first half and our batters had to work hard to get to 220. It played better in the second, but the spinners were key.  
“(Ajantha) Mendis bowled some really good balls as did (Sachithra) Senanayake. The two fast bowlers also came to the party.  
“We didn’t know what kind of total was a good one as we haven’t played here before, and that’s why we wanted to bowl first,” Mathews added.  
Ireland collapse  
Ireland captain William Porterfield gave much of the credit for his side struggles to Mendis but said that some of the wickets lost were avoidable.  “Some dismissals were avoidable but we have to pick ourselves up. Credit to Mendis but we can come through it and take him for 35 for minimum loss which would set ourselves up,” said Porterfield .