Australia won their match against Ireland by 67 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, thanks to a strong bowling performance.
After winning the toss, Australia opted to bat first in their ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 opener. They were without their usual captain, Mitchell Marsh, who was sidelined with a groin injury. Travis Head stepped in as captain against Ireland.
Head’s day didn’t start well, as he was run out for just 6 runs after a mix-up with Josh Inglis. Cameron Green and Inglis then built the innings, but Green fell for 21 runs off 11 balls to Mark Adair. Inglis, who scored 37 off 17, was out soon after, leaving Australia at 69 for 3.
Australia faced challenges in the middle overs, with Matt Renshaw contributing a steady 37 runs off 33 balls. However, they found their rhythm in the final overs, scoring at 10.6 runs per over from 16 to 20 overs to finish at 182 for 6. Marcus Stoinis was highlight with 45 runs off 29 balls.
Ireland’s spinners, including Matthew Humphreys and George Dockrell, performed well, allowing 100 runs for 3 wickets in 13 overs at a rate of 7.69. Mark Adair was the top wicket-taker for Ireland with two wickets.
During Ireland’s chase, Paul Stirling injured his hamstring on the first ball and had to retire. Ross Adair scored 11 runs in the first over, but Ireland struggled to regain control. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa each took four wickets, leading to Ireland’s collapse at 115 runs, giving Australia their first win of the tournament.
George Dockrell (41 off 29) and Lorcan Tucker (24 off 27) showed promise for Ireland in their innings.
Full Scorecard – Australia vs Ireland ICC T20 World Cup 2026, February 11
Australia 182 for 6 (Stoinis 45, Inglis 37, Renshaw 37) beat Ireland 115 (Dockrell 41, Ellis 4-12, Zampa 4-23) by 67 runs.
Match Highlights & Key Moments
Travis Head’s run-out marked a rough start for Australia after a catch was missed by Benjamin Calitz. Contributions from Renshaw, Stoinis, and Inglis were strong for the team.
Ireland had a chance after claiming their third wicket at 69, but they couldn’t capitalize on it, giving away runs in the closing overs. Ellis’s slower balls and Zampa’s aggressive bowling dismantled the Irish batting order.
Player of the Match
Nathan Ellis earned the Player of the Match title for his remarkable bowling, achieving figures of 4/12 in four overs.
What This Result Means for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
This victory is significant for Australia, particularly as they were missing key players and had several newcomers, boosting their confidence for upcoming matches.
On the other hand, Ireland will aim to finish the tournament positively after losing both their initial matches.
FAQs – Australia vs Ireland ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Q1: Who won the match between Australia and Ireland?
A1: Australia won by 67 runs on February 11, 2026, at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
A2: Nathan Ellis was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance (4/12 in four overs).
Q3: What was the final score of the match?
A3: Australia 182 for 6; Ireland 115.
Q4: What are the next matches for Australia and Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
A4: Australia will face Zimbabwe on February 13, while Ireland will play Oman on February 14 in Colombo.
