Brief Scores
Australia – 182/6 (20 ov), Stoinis (45), Inglis (37); Adair (2/44)
Ireland – 115/10 (16.5 ov), Dockrell (41); Ellis (4/12), Zampa (4/23)
Australia couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to their belated T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as they hammered Ireland by 67 runs on Wednesday, February 11, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Ireland were no match for the Aussies, who put up a clinical performance in their opening fixture despite the absence of captain Mitchell Marsh on the field.
Nathan Ellis was the standout performer for the Kangaroos, bamboozling the Irish with his clever variations and snaffling three wickets inside the powerplay. Asked to chase a massive target of 183, Ireland’s pursuit got off to the worst possible start as captain Paul Stirling retired hurt after the very first ball due to a hamstring injury sustained while fielding.
Following the ominous beginning, the slide continued for Ireland as Matthew Kuhnemann claimed the first breakthrough of the day, forcing Harry Tector to chip one straight to Cameron Green at cover. However, the real carnage began in the following over when Ellis outfoxed Ross Adair (12 off 9) with a slower delivery first up and shattered his stumps.
T20 World Cup: Australia vs Ireland Highlights
Two balls later, he surprised Curtis Campher with extra pace and induced him to hit straight to Green at mid-wicket. The wickets continued to tumble as Ellis (4/12)made Benjamin Calitz chop one back onto his stumps, leaving Ireland reeling at 27/4 in 4.1 overs.
Adam Zampa piles on misery
The Irish were given hardly any time to breathe, as after Ellis, it was Adam Zampa’s turn to tame them with his variations. The wrist-spinner used the conditions to his advantage, leaving the opposition befuddled with his wide array of deliveries. Zampa went on to register his third-best bowling figures in T20Is (4/23) as Ireland were restricted to 115 in 16.5 overs.
Earlier, valuable contributions from Marcus Stoinis (45 off 29), Josh Inglis (37 off 17) and Matt Renshaw (37 off 33) guided Australia to a competitive total of 182/6 in their 20 overs.
Stoinis, Renshaw rescue Australia
In the absence of the regular skipper, Travis Head took up the leadership duties but failed to make an impact with the bat, being dismissed for 6 (7) after failing to react quickly to Josh Inglis’ call. After losing his partner, Inglis took it upon himself to make amends for the run-out and blasted 37 (17) during the powerplay. However, his innings was brought to an end by George Dockrell.
Australia then lost their way in the middle overs, with Glenn Maxwell (9 off 9) and Cameron Green (21 off 11) departing cheaply, leaving them at 88/4 in 9.3 overs.
Marcus Stoinis joined Matt Renshaw at the crease, and the duo stitched together a 61-run stand off 44 balls for the fifth wicket. Stoinis missed out on a half-century, being caught at deep square leg for 45 (29) off Mark Adair (2/44). In the end, handy contributions from Cooper Connolly (11* off 8) and Xavier Bartlett (11* off 6) guided Australia past the 180-run mark.
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