Ellis, Zampa help crush Ireland by 67 runs

Thursday, 12 February 2026 02:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}


Nathan Ellis scalped four for his best T20I figures	Adam Zampa (right) and Co. celebrate an Irish wicket	Marcus Stoinis’ 45 off 29 balls provided the final impetus to the Australian innings	Worrying signs for Ireland as their Captain Paul Stirling retires after just one ball

An injury-hit Australian side kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive win by 67 runs against Ireland in a Group B match played at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Chasing down 183 at the Premadasa wasn’t easy by any stretch, and Ireland were left without Captain Paul Stirling, who seemed to have aggravated an earlier injury on the field. Ireland was then opened up by Nathan Ellis and Matthew Kuhnemann, as they slipped to 27-4 in no time. It was then a mere formality even as Lorcan Tucker (24 off 27 balls) and George Dockrell (41 off 29 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) showed some fight. But both came unstuck in front of Adam Zampa, and Ireland eventually crashed to 115 all-out, slipping to their second straight loss.

Ellis and Zampa shared eight wickets between them as the Australians enjoyed an easy day in the field. Ellis was the star of this all-round Australia bowling effort, scalping up his best T20I figures of 4/12.

Earlier, Australia’s total of 182-6 was built around solid contributions from the top order before Marcus Stoinis’ 29-ball 45 (2 fours, 1 six) provided the final impetus.

Without their Captain Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis was pushed up the order to partner Travis Head, who took over the captaincy for this game. The new pair though struggled with the running and the stand-in captain was run out for 6. Inglis made a 17-ball 37 (6 fours, 1 six), Cameron Green a 11-ball 21 (1 four, 2 sixes), and Matt Renshaw finished with a 33-ball 37 (2 fours). The innings though needed a facelift and it came through Stoinis’ 29-ball 45.

Ireland was decent with the ball, but they weren’t backed up in the field for the second straight game in a row and were left to chase an above-par score in what was a must-win game for them.

Australia’s 67-run win will boost their Net Run Rate, having dominated their opening contest. – [ST]

Scores:

Australia 182-6 (20) (Josh Inglis 37, Cameron Green 21, Matt Renshaw 37, Marcus Stoinis 45, Mark Adair 2/44)

Ireland 115 (16.5) (Lorcan Tucker 24, George Dockrell 41, Nathan Ellis 4/12, Adam Zampa 4/23)