In their Group 1, Super 12 encounter of the 2017 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia defeated Ireland by 42 runs on Monday in Brisbane thanks to a half-century from captain Aaron Finch and some fierce bowling from the bowlers.
The highest score for Ireland was 71 from 48 balls by unbeaten player Lorcan Tucker. Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa each claimed two wickets for Australia.
Australia got off to a quick start by cheaply dismissing both of Ireland's openers, captain Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, as they attempted to defend a challenging mark of 180. Pat Cummins bowled out Ireland's opener with a magnificent delivery, and Glenn Maxwell struck out star batter Stirling in the next over as Balbirnie returned to the pavilion in the third over of the game.
Harry Tector, a new batter, was struck out for six runs off four deliveries by Maxwell in the same third over. Ireland was left reeling at 25/5 after Mitchell Starc dealt a double punch in the fourth over of the match by dismissing Curtis Campher and George Dockrell. Ireland's batting order's top half was destroyed during the powerplay.
In order to relieve some of their team's burden, Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany pounded Starc for 14 runs in the sixth over of the inning. The Irish team continued to accumulate runs while regularly taking singles.
Delany scored 14 runs off of 10 deliveries, however he was removed by Marcus Stoinis before he could stay long on the field. In the 12th over of the inning, Tucker smashed Starc with his open hands, scoring 12 runs.
After that, Ireland suffered another setback when Mark Adair was dismissed by Adam Zampa in the 13th over of the innings for 11 off 11. Ireland continued to lose wickets after this at regular intervals. Barry McCarthy, a right-handed batter, next stepped up to the crease.
In the 16th over of the innings, Tucker hit a 98-meter six off a Josh Hazlewood offering to reach his fifty-run mark. Tucker kept up his aggressive form, slamming the Australian bowlers everywhere on the field.
Starc pitched a giant over, giving up 18 runs while being pounded by Tucker for three beautiful fours. McCarthy was subsequently dismissed for three runs off seven deliveries as Cummins threw a slower short ball.
Joshua Little, the final hitter to bat, was run out by Mitchell Marsh and Maxwell, giving Australia a commanding 42-run victory.
Earlier, Australia was able to reach a competitive 179/5 in their 20 overs with to captain Aaron Finch's cautious half-century and his quick-fire partnership with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
After the Australians were down to 84/3 in the second half of the innings, Finch (63), and Stoinis (35), shared a 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket. For the Irish, Barry McCarthy (3/29) was the standout bowler.
Ireland gave Australia the option to bat first, and they got off to a rocky start when they lost their opener, David Warner, to Barry McCarthy for 3 off 7 as the batter pushed it straight to Mark Adair at backward square leg. Australia scored 8 in just 2.1 overs.
Mitchell Marsh joined captain Aaron Finch after this initial hiccup. Marsh took faced the assured Irish bowlers head-on, striking his first ball for a four in the leg side area.
In the fifth over, Finch also began to shift gears, hitting a four and a six. Adair's over cost the team 14 runs. Australia stood at 38/1 after six overs of powerplay, with Finch (23*) and Marsh (11*).
In the seventh over, Marsh hit two sixes against Fionna Hand. The pair put together a 50-run stand in just 36 balls, and the Australians gradually gained control of the game.
In the eighth over, Marsh nicked the ball directly into keeper Lorcan Tucker's hands, ending their 52-run partnership. McCarthy took his second wicket of the game as Marsh returned to the field for 28 off 22 balls.
Finch was joined on the crease by Glenn Maxwell. He avoided a few leg-before-wicket attempts and ended the first part of the innings with a stunning straight six. Australia stood at 78/2 after 10 overs thanks to Maxwell (13*) and Finch (29*).
Joshua Little, a pacer, recovered after being hit by Finch for a four through the covers to dismiss Maxwell for 13 from 9 balls after being caught by Tucker.
Next up on the crease was Marcus Stoinis, and it was time for him and Finch to play aggressively in the second half to put up a significant sum on the board. Australia scored a lot of runs, particularly in the 14th and 15th over. In 13.4 overs, the defending champions scored 100 runs. The fourteenth over produced 16 runs.
McCarthy broke the tense 70-run stand between Stoinis and Finch with the help of Adair, who had earlier been thrashed. Finch returned to the pavilion for 63 off 44 balls. Third wicket of the game for McCarthy. In 16.5 overs, Australia had a score of 154/4.
On the crease came Tim David next. When Stoinis was struck by Little's dismissal for 35 off 25 balls, he was the fifth man out. By 160 runs, the Australian batting lineup was cut in half.
The next player on the crease was Matthew Wade. Ireland only lost seven runs in the 18th and 19th over, regaining some ground in the match.
At 179/5, Australia ended their innings, with Wade (7*) and David (15*) still unbeaten. McCarthy (3/29) was Ireland's top bowler. Little took 2/21 as well.
Brief Scores: Australia: 179/5 in 20 overs (Aaron Finch 63, Marcus Stoinis 35, Barry McCarthy 3/29) vs Ireland 137 (Lorcan Tucker 71*, Gareth Delany 14; Glenn Maxwell 2-14). (ANI)
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