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COLOMBO: Fast bowler Nathan Ellis and leg-spinner Adam Zampa shared eight wickets as Australia overwhelmed Ireland by 67 runs in their Group B clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday, strengthening their push for the semi-finals with a dominant all-round display.
After posting a competitive 182 for six at the R Premadasa Stadium, Australia bundled Ireland out for 115 in 16.5 overs under lights, with Ellis returning career-best figures of 4 for 12 to earn Player of the Match honours.
Ireland’s chase was derailed almost immediately when captain Paul Stirling retired hurt off the first ball of the innings, forcing an early reshuffle at the top. The setback proved costly as Ellis struck in his opening over, removing Ross Adair, before Ireland slumped to 17 for four inside three overs.
Harry Tector fell for a duck to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, while Curtis Campher and Ben Calitz both perished cheaply to Ellis as Australia tightened their grip during the powerplay.
Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker (24) attempted to steady the innings but was undone by Zampa, who then ran through the middle and lower order. The leg-spinner claimed four for 23 in his four overs, including the wickets of Gareth Delany, George Dockrell and Mark Adair.
Dockrell offered brief resistance with a counter-attacking 41 off 29 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, but Ireland never recovered from their early collapse. Ellis returned to clean up Barry McCarthy and seal the victory with more than three overs to spare.
Earlier, Australia’s innings was built on explosive powerplay hitting and a composed finish.
After captain Travis Head was run out for six in the second over, Josh Inglis launched a counter-attack, smashing 37 off 17 balls with six fours and a six. Cameron Green (21 off 11) kept the momentum going as Australia raced to 64 for two in the powerplay.
Ireland clawed back through George Dockrell and Mark Adair, who removed Inglis and Green respectively, while Glenn Maxwell fell for nine attempting to accelerate against Harry Tector’s off-spin.
Matt Renshaw anchored the middle overs with a steady 37 off 33 deliveries, before Marcus Stoinis provided the late surge. Stoinis struck 45 off 29 balls, combining power with placement to push Australia past 150 in the 18th over.
Unbeaten cameos from Cooper Connolly (11 not out) and Xavier Bartlett (11 not out) lifted Australia to 182 for six, a total that proved well beyond Ireland’s reach.
Ireland’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Adair taking two for 44 and Dockrell, Humphreys and Tector claiming one apiece, but they struggled to contain Australia’s scoring rate of 9.10 per over.
The comprehensive win earned Australia two points in Group B and significantly boosted their net run rate, while Ireland were left searching for answers after a second heavy defeat in the tournament.
Summarised scorecard
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – Group B
14th Match (D/N), Colombo (RPS), February 11, 2026
Australia 182/6 (20 overs)
Josh Inglis 37 (17), Matt Renshaw 37 (33), Marcus Stoinis 45 (29);
Mark Adair 2/44, George Dockrell 1/31, Matthew Humphreys 1/33
Ireland 115 all out (16.5 overs)
George Dockrell 41 (29), Lorcan Tucker 24 (27);
Nathan Ellis 4/12 (3.5 overs), Adam Zampa 4/23 (4 overs), Matthew Kuhnemann 1/29
Result: Australia won by 67 runs
Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis (Australia) – 4/12
Toss: Australia elected to bat
Points: Australia 2, Ireland 0
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
