Reuben Wilson and his skipper Olly Riley gave supporters a glimpse of the future in Windhoek but their efforts were in vain as Sri Lanka inflicted a second defeat on Ireland at the U19 World Cup, by 106 runs.

A wicket each at the top of the Sri Lanka innings showed why it would be no surprise to see the pair of 19-year-olds opening the attack for the senior team — if not before the end of the decade then soon after. 

Clontarf speedster Wilson made the initial breakthrough, took a second wicket in a later spell and effected a runout with a powerful throw from deep cover, while Pembroke all-rounder Riley found an edge behind to get in the wickets column too.

The five bowlers Ireland used all showed improvement from Friday’s opening defeat by Australia but after those early losses the well-drilled Sri Lankan line-up eased to 267-5.

In reply, opener Callum Armstrong, on debut three days short of his 16th birthday, gave a good account of himself with a tidy 37 before he had to hobble off injured but hopes of a famous win diminished when Friday’s star Rob O’Brien chopped on for 17.

Ireland slipped to 96-6 before a lively stand of 46 from 49 balls between Wilson and Riley showed the other side of their games, and again raise morale among the travelling fans.

Both hit two mighty sixes — Ireland won that contest 4-1 — and while Wilson fell for 32, lamely failing to clear extra cover, his skipper was unbeaten on 31 when the innings ended on 161.

Armstrong, who had resumed his innings at the fall of the ninth wicket was last out for a top score of 39, and Riley paid tribute to his fighting qualities.

“It’s something that comes with most Irish teams I’ve been involved with.. We talk about it a lot — regardless of skills you can always bring heart and fight to a game.” Riley said.

“Callum was incredibly impressive there, the way he came back out at the end even though he was clearly in a fair bit of pain.”

Ireland will need to beat Japan on Thursday to qualify for the Super Sixes stage of the tournament, and Riley is expecting his side to come out on top.

“We’re pretty confident, especially how we’ve gone up through the gears in our matches so far. We should be in a pretty good place for that game,” he said.