AUS Win By 67 Runs | Australia vs Ireland Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026 Match 14: Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa Shine As Australia Notch Easy Win

An absolute clinical performance by Australia with the ball, thanks to Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa, who claimed four wickets each to help Travis Head and Co an easy win over Ireland, who, apart from the first innings, never looked into the contest. Ireland lost Paul Stirling due to an injury, which further pegged the Irish team back in their chase of 183. 

Despite a collapse, George Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker have managed to keep Ireland in the hunt. Both have added 44 off 37 runs and taken the attack to the bowlers. Paul Stirling's condition remains unknown; this will be the last recognised pair for Ireland.

OUT! Nathan Ellis is on fire, getting his third wicket in just his second over. Benjamin Calitz went for the pull, but managed to drag the ball onto his stumps for a 4-ball 2. In his first-over, Ellis claimed the wickets of Curtis Campher and Ross Adair. 

Ireland are off to a poor start, with captain and star batter Paul Stirling retired hurt. Stirling took a single while limping and soon went off the field. The Irish captain was unavailable for fielding in the first innings. 

Thanks to late hitting by Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett, Australia have managed to reach a par score, which the Travis Head-led side will be satisfied with after a middle-order collapse. Marcus Stoinis top-scored with 45, while Matt Renshaw and Josh Inglish scored 37 each. 

OUT! Just as Australia were looking to up the ante, Mark Adair removes the dangerous Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis went for yet another big shot, but time luck evaded the batter as the all-rounder gave a simple catch to a fielder in deep off a low full toss.

Despite losing quick wickets in the middle, Marcus Stoinis and Matt Renshaw have managed to keep the Australian innings afloat. Both have added 41 runs in 33 balls, which has set a platform for the lower-order batters to some hard swinging. 

OUT! Harry Tector removes the dangerous Glenn Maxwell, and Australia sees them in a slump. Maxwell tried to cut but could only manage an edge to the keeper.  Josh Inglis and Cameron Green managed to get starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis are crucial for Australia here. 

Despite Travis Head's departure early, Australia's aggressive intent has not backed down. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis have taken the attack to the Irish bowlers, with both batters mostly dealing in boundaries in their 30-odd run partnership. 

Australia have a new opening pair, with Travis Head partnering with Josh Inglis. Mitchell Marsh is missing out due to a groin injury, with Head becoming the stand-in captain. Meanwhile, the SA vs AFG match has gone into a second super-over. Catch all the action here. 

Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Australia XI: Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (w), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa

TOSS! Australia wins the toss and stand-in skipper Travis Head opts to bat. No Mitchell Marsh for Australia, who is ruled out due ot an injury. 

Hello and welcome to LatestLY's coverage of Australia's opening match at the T20 World Cup 2026, where the former champions will take on Ireland in Colombo.