Australia Crush Ireland in T20 World Cup Opener

Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa star as Australia win by 67 runs

Australia kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a thounding 67-run win over Ireland in Colombo, thanks to Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa's four-wicket hauls each. Ellis ripped through Ireland's top order with 4-12.

While Zampa (4-23) dismantled the middle and lower order, helping Ireland chase down the target of 183 runs and end at 115 for nine in 16.5 overs...

Australia kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a bang, beating Ireland by 67 runs in Colombo. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa were the heroes, taking four wickets each to dismantle Ireland's batting lineup. Australia's stand-in captain Travis Head won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a solid 182-6 in 20 overs.

Ellis's brilliant bowling, including a stunning 4-12 in 3.5 overs, ripped through Ireland's top order. Ireland's captain Paul Stirling retired hurt early, and the team was soon reeling at 27-4. Despite some resistance from Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell, Australia's bowlers proved too strong, wrapping up Ireland's innings at 115 in 16.5 overs.

Ireland's chase got off to the worst possible start when ‌captain Paul Stirling pulled up injured after darting for a run ‌off the first ball, his premature retirement leaving them a man down in Colombo.

Nathan Ellis' clever bowling paved the way for a solid Australia win and got him the @aramco POTM award 👌 pic.twitter.com/jMTrwOFJTf

— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2026

 

Harry Tector perished for a duck in the second over, bowled by Matthew Kuhnemann, before ‌Ross Adair failed to make the most of ⁠his reprieve following a drop ‌by Matt Renshaw and was bowled out by Ellis for 12 to leave Ireland in deeper trouble.

Ireland's hopes were fading fast as Ellis snagged Curtis Campher at mid-wicket for 4, followed by Ben Calitz bowled for 0 – Ireland were 27-4 inside the powerplay, looking shaky.

Zampa (4-23) then made his mark as ⁠he picked up the next four wickets, including middle-order batter George Dockrell, who gave Ireland hope with a quick-fire 41 off 29 before he was stumped off a wide delivery when he gave the spinner the charge.

Barry McCarthy was caught at ‌deep mid-wicket to give Ellis (4-12) his fourth wicket and with Stirling unable to bat again, Ireland were all out for 115.

A super start for Australia's attack in Colombo ✨ pic.twitter.com/6G2z1kX3Lt

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 11, 2026

61-run stand

Earlier, Josh Inglis went all guns blazing during his 17-ball 37 as Australia accumulated 64 runs in their six powerplay overs for the loss of Head and Cameron Green (21), but Ireland's bowlers were in no mood to let the match slip away.

Some tight spells of bowling turned the screws on Australia, but a workmanlike 61-run stand between Renshaw (37) and Marcus Stoinis (45) ‌for the fifth wicket laid a solid platform for the 2021 champions to build on.

Aussie innings had some wacky moments: Renshaw was bowled by Humphreys' pace, and Stoinis fell in the 18th to Mark Adair (2-44). But Connolly and Bartlett's lower-order hits took Australia to 182-6, a score that proved comfy in the end, securing a win for Aussie.