Nathan and Zampa star as Australia crush Ireland in T20 World Cup

Australia defeated Ireland by 67 runs in their opening Group B match of the T20 World Cup. Nathan Ellis (4/12) and Adam Zampa (4/23) starred with the ball after Renshaw and Stoinis guided Australia to 182 for 6

Colombo: Pacer Nathan Ellis set the tone with a three-wicket burst in his opening spell as an under-strength Australia demolished Ireland by 67 runs in their opening Group B fixture of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.

If Ellis (4/12 in 3.5 overs) blew away the top order, leg-spinner Adam Zampa (4/23 in 4 overs) polished off the middle and lower order with Ireland’s innings ending at 115 for 9 in 16.5 overs in pursuit of a challenging score of 183.

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Veteran Paul Stirling was retired hurt and did not come out to bat.

With Mitchell Marsh all but out of the T20 World Cup with a groin injury and none among Mitchell Starc (retired), Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood (injuries) in the current squad, Ellis manfully shouldered the responsibility as the lead pacer.

Ross Adair got one that was fast and low and rocketed into the stumps, while Ben Calitz found the pace and bounce generated by Ellis too hot to handle, dragging one onto the stumps.

His first spell figures were 3/9 in 3 overs and after that Zampa ran through the middle order with George Dockrell (41 off 29 balls) ensuring that Ireland’s total went past the 100-run mark.

Towards the end, Ellis came back for his final over to end the proceedings as Australia started their campaign in the best way possible.

Earlier, Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis stitched together a crucial 61-run partnership as Australia posted a competitive 182 for 6 in 20 overs.

Josh Inglis (37) and Cameron Green (21) provided early momentum, while Renshaw (37) and Stoinis (45) added vital runs through the middle overs after Australia opted to bat on a sluggish surface.

Ireland’s spinners produced a disciplined bowling performance but were let down by a few dropped catches.

After dropping Travis Head in the first over, Ireland struck in the second, running out the stand-in Australian skipper.

Inglis and Green immediately launched a counter attack. Inglis began with a boundary through cover, followed it with another, and then edged one away for a third four in the third over.

Green joined the charge, using his long reach to muscle Barry McCarthy down the ground for a boundary before launching him for a towering six with the Colombo breeze aiding the stroke.

The big all-rounder continued the onslaught with another massive six but eventually mistimed a shot to midwicket, where he was safely caught.

Ireland skipper Paul Stirling then stalled Australia’s momentum with a sensational catch to dismiss Inglis. The batter sliced the ball and Stirling dived at full stretch to complete a superb take.

Harry Tector then removed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell, bringing Stoinis to the crease alongside Renshaw.

The pair steadied the innings while keeping the scoreboard moving by rotating the strike effectively as Ireland maintained control through the middle overs.

Just as Australia looked to accelerate, Matthew Humphreys produced a ripper to shatter Renshaw’s stumps. Stoinis departed in the following over after smashing a six over deep midwicket.

Ireland gave away 53 runs in the last five overs.