Khawaja and Smith peerless in Ireland rout

AFP: Usman Khawaja and captain Steve Smith shared an unbeaten 126-run partnership as Australia romped to a nine-wicket win in a one-day international against Ireland at Willowmoore Park on Tuesday.

Khawaja made 82 not out and Smith an unbeaten 59 as Australia chased down a modest target of 199 with 19.5 overs to spare.

It was a second heavy defeat in a row for Ireland, who lost by 206 runs against South Africa at the same venue on Sunday, but set the scene for what Smith expects to be a tough five-match one-day series between South Africa and Australia, starting at Centurion on Friday.

Ireland let slip a promising start, collapsing from 121 for two in the 24th over to 198 all out.

Smith, returning to action after being rested during a recent one-day series in Sri Lanka, started slowly but finished with 59 off 73 balls.