Brisbane, Oct. 31 (IANS): Australia produced a clinical all-round performance to hammer Ireland by 42 runs in a Super 12 game of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Gabba, here on Monday.
With this win, Australia moved to the second spot in Group 1 standings with five points in four matches. On the other hand, Ireland are in fourth spot with three points.
Australia skipper Aaron Finch played an excellent knock of 63 from 44 deliveries to guide his team to a commanding total of 179/5 in 20 overs, after they were invited to bat first. Apart from Aaron, all-rounders Marcus Stoinis (35) and Mitchell Marsh (28) also made valuable contributions with the bat for the hosts.
Chasing a challenging total, Lorcan Tucker was the lone warrior for Ireland, who kept losing wickets at regular intervals. He looked in control, kept the scoreboard ticking and remained not out with his brilliant knock of 71 off 48.
Tucker got some support from the lower order, but in the end he was left with too much to do as Ireland were eventually bowled out for 137-10 in 18.1 overs, losing by 42 runs.
The likes of Glenn Maxwell (2/14), Adam Zampa (2/19), Pat Cummins (2/28), Mitchell Starc (2/43) shared two wickets each for Australia.
Earlier, Australia got off to a slow start as the Ireland bowlers used the conditions well to keep hosts quiet. Barry McCarthy dismissed David Warner in the third over of the innings before Australia could get any sort of momentum going.
Finch and Mitchell Marsh tried their best but they could take Australia to a score of 38/1 at the end of the powerplay.
Things changed soon, though. Marsh and Finch started taking on the bowlers after the powerplay and added the necessary impetus to the Australian innings. Finch was involved in two crucial partnerships of 52 and 70 with Marsh and Marcus Stoinis respectively, which helped Australia in getting to such a competitive total.
It was Barry McCarthy who brought an end to Finch's knock while Stoinis also played a good innings of 35 from 25 deliveries. Matthew Wade and Tim David, who remained unbeaten on seven and 15 respectively, also added valuable runs towards the end.
Barry McCarthy (3/29) was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, while left-arm pacer Josh Little (2/21) scalped two wickets.