Colombo : Australia defeated Ireland by 67 runs at Colombo in Group B encounter of ICC T20 WC 2026, with help of 4-fers of Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa.
On a slow wicket, Australia were made to work hard for 182/6 in 20 overs.
Despite losing Travis Head early, Australia did well in powerplay, scoring 64 runs in the first six overs. The Aussies kept up the scoring rate, gathering 90 runs in 10 overs, but by then big hitters Cameron Green (21), Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis (37) were all back in the pavilion.
Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis steadied the innings with a 61-run partnership. Even as the Irish spinners slowed the flow of runs, Australia kept the scoreboard ticking with some superb running between the wickets. It took Renshaw 29 balls before he hit is first boundary.
While the left-handed Renshaw scored 37, Stoinis top scored with 45 off 29 balls. Australia accelerated towards the end, through Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett, to push past the 180-mark.
Though Ireland had a decent outing with the ball, their fielding once again let them down, fluffing three chances against the former champions.
In response, the Irish chase never really got off the ground. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Harry Tector, while Nathan Ellis warmed up to the World Cup challenge by claiming two in his first over.
He began with a slower one that beat Ross Adair’s defences. A superb opening spell by Ellis — 3/5 in his first two overs — saw Ireland reeling at 66/5 after ten overs.
Ireland never recovered from the situation, and eventually got bundled on 115 runs, with Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis picking up individual 4-wicket hauls.
