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Australia vs Ireland Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Australia clinch 67-run win over Ireland

Australia vs Ireland Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Australia produced a dominant all-round performance to outclass Ireland by 67...

The Times of India | Feb 11, 2026, 18:50:56 IST

COMPLETED - Match 14 - Colombo
IRE  
115/1016.5 Overs
COMPLETED
AUS  
182/620.0 Overs 
Australia beat Ireland by 67 runs
View detailed match updates
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18:50 (IST), Feb, 11

Signing off from Colombo - End of the second match of the day and after a never-ending first game, we have witnessed a fairly one-sided contest. Worry not, as there is a blockbuster clash lined up next. Two-time champions, West Indies, are taking on another two-time champions England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That match is about to start at 1.30 pm GMT and England have opted to BOWL first. You can switch tabs and tune in to our coverage of that clash. Cheers!

18:49 (IST), Feb, 11

The captain of Australia - Travis Head says that he is satisfied with his team's performance and happy with the win. Continues that both departments did their job and he feels that is the reason behind their success today. He feels that Matt Renshaw's and Marcus Stoinis' partnership was important in the first inning and in the second inning, Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis did really well to pick the wickets and he also hopes that they carry forward this momentum further in the campaign. He also shares his views on adapting to challenging conditions. He says that the conditions were a bit tricky today but their middle order handled the pressure. Ends up saying they are really having fun as everyone is enjoying each other's company which is uplifting the mood in the dressing room.

18:43 (IST), Feb, 11

The stand-in skipper for Ireland - Lorcan Tucker says Paul Stirling took a knock on his knee while trying to take that catch in the first innings. Says it was brave of him to go out there in the second innings, but unfortunately, he couldn't continue. Shares that they talked about the surface, but they didn't start the way they would have liked with the bat and credits the way Australia bowled in the Powerplay. Feels that 150-160 was in their mind but Australia got more than that. Acknowledges that there's plenty that can happen, and they'll keep on fighting.

18:42 (IST), Feb, 11

Let's now hear from the two captains...

18:35 (IST), Feb, 11

Player of the Match - Nathan Ellis gets the acknowledgement for his brilliant figures of 3.5-1-12-4. Ellis starts off by saying that playing in Sri Lanka is about adapting to the pitch conditions, which can be unpredictable. He has played a few times and knows the surfaces can vary, but he was prepared to adapt on the fly. Ellis jokes about bringing down the average height of the team with Australia's senior fast bowlers absent (the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are all well above 6 feet), but he's confident in the team's abilities. He highlights the good combinations they've built with players like Xavier Bartlett, and the planning they've done gives them confidence to perform strongly. He further explains that he adjusted his bowling strategy based on the conditions, deciding to bowl slower balls after watching the first few overs. He focuses on varying ball speed while keeping arm speed consistent, which he believes is key to effective bowling on pitches like these. Ellis ends by praising Adam Zampa's performance, saying he's one of the best in the world and will play a huge role in the tournament.

18:29 (IST), Feb, 11

Crumbling under pressure - We have seen what Ireland are capable of but somehow, against the bigger teams, on the biggest stage, they seem to falter. It was a decent bowling performance from them but the underutilization of the pace-off deliveries at the death cost them a bit. The spinners were solid in general and Mark Adair picked up a couple of wickets, but he was very expensive. The batting performance left a lot to be desired. Paul Stirling had to hobble back after the very first ball, probably pulling a hamstring, and then the top order batters just gifted wickets away. Lorcan Tucker showed a bit of resilience and then their 'crisis man,' George Dockrell, stepped up and played a valiant knock of 41 off just 29 balls but it was never going to be enough.

18:29 (IST), Feb, 11

Sparks of brilliance - The Aussies didn't have the best start, with Mitchell Marsh ruled out of this game and they did seem a bit undercooked with the bat, even after a rapid start. Josh Inglis was the aggressor with his innings of 37 from just 17 balls. There were contributions throughout the middle order with Matt Renshaw making an anchoring 37 (33 balls) and then Marcus Stoinis playing a fiery knock of 45 (29 balls). With the ball, it was carnage from the Aussies as Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa ripped through the Irish lineup. The duo picked up four wickets each but it was Ellis, who really did the damage in the early overs, that set things up wonderfully. Matthew Kuhnemann was the other wicket-taker but Xavier Bartlett was a bit off color and surely, the Aussies will want to tighten things up heading into the next game.

18:27 (IST), Feb, 11

Dominant start from the 2021 Champions - Australia have kicked off their 2026 Men's T20 World Cup campaign with a straightforward win against Ireland. Their bowlers have done a fine job here but one feels that Ireland self-imploded with the bat to an extent as well.

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18:26 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs
Score115 - 10

Paul Stirling has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Paul Stirling is retired out.

18:24 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs16.5
Score115 - 9

Nathan Ellis to Barry McCarthy, OUT! TAKEN! It's all over for Ireland as Paul Stirling won't come out to bat. Nathan Ellis ends with a four-fer. Nicely bowled again. Drags his length back and bowls it around off, probably the back-of-the-hand delivery. Barry McCarthy forces it across the line but fails to power. Cameron Green at deep mid-wicket takes a simple catch. Australia open their account with a comfortable win. They win by 67 runs. 

18:23 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs16.4
Score115 - 8

Nathan Ellis to Matthew Humphreys, Pitches it on the 8-meter length and outside off, Humphreys swipes across the line and to deep square leg for one.

18:22 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs16.3
Score114 - 8

Nathan Ellis to Barry McCarthy, Slightly short and touch wide, Barry McCarthy strokes it through covers for a run.

18:22 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs16.2
Score113 - 8

Nathan Ellis to Barry McCarthy, On a nagging length and around off, nipping in. Barry McCarthy hangs inside his crease as he punches it to cover.

18:21 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs16.1
Score113 - 8

Nathan Ellis to Matthew Humphreys, Serves in a yorker-length delivery on middle, Humphreys squeezes it out to long on for a run.

18:20 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs15.6
Score112 - 8

Adam Zampa to Matthew Humphreys, Flatter trajectory on middle, Matthew Humphreys works it to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over. 

18:18 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs15.5
Score111 - 8

Adam Zampa to Matthew Humphreys, Josh Inglis is super excited as he appeals for a caught behind. The umpire shakes his head but Travis Head challenges the decision. This is a length delivery on leg and turning into the batter. Matthew Humphreys steps inside the line and tries to paddle it but seems to miss it. The UltraEdge loads and shows a flatline. NOT OUT, it remains. 

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18:17 (IST), Feb, 11

The next batter in is Matthew Humphreys. Is he the last man to walk out? Or will we see Paul Stirling again if another wicket falls? 

18:16 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs15.4
Score111 - 8

Adam Zampa to Mark Adair, OUT! TAKEN! 'Catch it' is the call from Josh Inglis and Connolly does the job. A wrong 'un, attacking the stumps and on a length. Adair clears his front leg and moves back to pull but top edges it to deep mid-wicket. High in the night sky and in the hands of Cooper Connolly in the deep. A simple catch for the fielder. 

18:16 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs15.3
Score111 - 7

Adam Zampa to Barry McCarthy, Serves it full and outside off, a googly. Barry McCarthy drills it past Zampa and to long on for a single.

18:15 (IST), Feb, 11

End of a defiant knock from George Dockrell and in walks the next batter. Barry McCarthy is the new batter for Ireland.

18:14 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs15.2
Score110 - 7

Adam Zampa to George Dockrell, OUT! STUMPED! Clever from Adam Zampa and he picks up his third wicket. Dockrell takes a premeditated charge and Zampa pushes his line wide outside off, away from the hitting zone. Dockrell swings and misses. The keeper, Josh Inglis, collects and clips the bails off with ease. George Dockrell goes for 41 (29). 73 needed off 28 balls now for Ireland.

18:14 (IST), Feb, 11

6
Overs15.1
Score110 - 6

Adam Zampa to George Dockrell, SIX! Well over the fielder! Slower in the air, flights it full and around off, George Dockrell steps down the pitch, gets on his knee and slogs it over long on for a six.

18:12 (IST), Feb, 11

2
Overs14.6
Score104 - 6

Cooper Connolly to Mark Adair, Short, outside off, Mark Adair cuts this one a bit early toward the left of the deep cover fielder for a couple of runs. An expensive over from Connoly, 14 runs off it!

18:12 (IST), Feb, 11

4
Overs14.5
Score102 - 6

Cooper Connolly to Mark Adair, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Short again from Connolly, on the fourth stump. Mark Adair hangs back and opens the face of his bat before punching it through the backward point region for four runs.

18:11 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs14.4
Score98 - 6

Cooper Connolly to George Dockrell, Short, and just outside off, George Dockrell bunts it to long off for a single.

18:11 (IST), Feb, 11

2
Overs14.3
Score97 - 6

Cooper Connolly to George Dockrell, Pitches it up, does Cooper, on off, George Dockrell drills it to wide long off and gets a couple of runs.

18:10 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs14.2
Score95 - 6

Cooper Connolly to Mark Adair, Flat and fuller, on off, Mark Adair punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

18:10 (IST), Feb, 11

4
Overs14.1
Score94 - 6

Cooper Connolly to Mark Adair, FOUR! Excellently played! Full-length delivery, angled into the leg stump, following the batter as Adair makes room. However, he hangs back and plays inside out to loft it over the cover region and gets the boundary.

18:09 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs13.6
Score90 - 6

Adam Zampa to George Dockrell, Slower through the air, fuller and around the pads. George Dockrell plays his defence a bit early and gets the leading edge. The ball drops dead on the deck.

18:08 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs13.5
Score90 - 6

Adam Zampa to Mark Adair, Short, outside off, Mark Adair slaps it to deep point and gets off the mark with the single.

18:06 (IST), Feb, 11

DRINKS! Australia are favourites to win from hereon, with Ireland effectively 7 down. The Irish team need 94 runs in 38 balls. It is gettable, but they are running out of batters pretty quickly. Australia have bowled well and need to keep it simple to wrap up the proceedings. 

18:05 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs13.4
Score89 - 6

Adam Zampa to Lorcan Tucker, OUT! CAUGHT! Adam Zampa breaks this sturdy partnership and gets his second wicket. This is a wrong 'un, fuller, on middle. Lorcan Tucker sits on one knee and looks to sweep it against the wind. The ball flies toward the deep mid-wicket region, and Cooper Connolly settles underneath the skier to pouch it safely into his hands. End of a 46-run stand between Tucker and Dockrell.

18:04 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs13.3
Score89 - 5

Adam Zampa to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller, wide outside off. Lorcan Tucker skips down the track, extends his arms and pushes it to cover.

18:04 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs13.2
Score89 - 5

Adam Zampa to George Dockrell, A touch fuller, on middle, George Dockrell charges down the track and tucks it through square leg for a single.

18:03 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs13.1
Score88 - 5

Adam Zampa to Lorcan Tucker, Flat and much fuller, just behind the yorker length, on off, Lorcan Tucker jams it to long on and gets across for a single.

18:02 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs12.6
Score87 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to George Dockrell, Fuller, around off, George Dockrell stabs it back to the bowler. 96 needed now off 42 balls.

18:01 (IST), Feb, 11

6
Overs12.5
Score87 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to George Dockrell, SIX! OUT OF THE PARK! Short, around off, George Dockrell goes deep into the crease, swivels on his back foot and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a huge biggie.

18:01 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs12.4
Score81 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to George Dockrell, Full and straight, fired in. Dockrell plays it back to the bowler.

18:01 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs12.3
Score81 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to George Dockrell, Short, outside off, George Dockrell punches it to cover on his back foot.

18:00 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs12.2
Score81 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to George Dockrell, Fuller, just outside off, turning it away from the batter. George Dockrell looks to defend at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

18:00 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs12.1
Score81 - 5

Matthew Kuhnemann to Lorcan Tucker, Short, wide outside off, Lorcan Tucker punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

18:00 (IST), Feb, 11

Matthew Kuhnemann to bowl out. 22 runs and a wicket so far. Also, it seems like Glenn Maxwell is now off the field and Ben Dwarshuis has come on as the substitute fielder.

17:58 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs11.6
Score80 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, A dot to end but 10 runs come off it. Slower one, a bit full and at the stumps, Dockrell blocks it off.

17:58 (IST), Feb, 11

2
Overs11.5
Score80 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, Two more and Dockrell is doing a decent job of keeping the scoreboard ticking. Pitched up at the stumps, Dockrell clears the front leg and lofts it back over the bowler's head. Maxwell moves to his left from long on and cuts it off but walks back a bit gingerly and signals something to the dug-out. Hopefully, it's not another injury.

17:57 (IST), Feb, 11

2
Overs11.4
Score78 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, Banged in short over the stumps, Dockrell lines it up but mistimes the pull over wide mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.

17:56 (IST), Feb, 11

0
Overs11.3
Score76 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, Well bowled! Full and quick, wide outside off, lands just inside the tramline. Dockrell backs away too early and fails to reach it.

17:56 (IST), Feb, 11

4
Overs11.2
Score76 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, FOUR! Wayward from Bartlett. Shortish length down leg, Dockrell whips it off the hips and gets it through backward square leg for a boundary.

17:55 (IST), Feb, 11

2
Overs11.1
Score72 - 5

Xavier Bartlett to George Dockrell, DROPPED? Up and just over! Length ball at the stumps, Dockrell shimmies down the pitch and lifts it to the right of mid off. Marcus Stoinis scampers across and times the leap to perfection but can only manage fingertips on it. The fielder from long on mops it up and keeps it down to two runs.

17:53 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs10.6
Score70 - 5

Nathan Ellis to George Dockrell, Full-pitched delivery wide outside off, George Dockrell reaches out and squeezes it over short third for a single. Another tidy over from Ellis, just 4 off it.

17:53 (IST), Feb, 11

1
Overs10.5
Score69 - 5

Nathan Ellis to Lorcan Tucker, Another slower one of the back-of-the-hand variety. Lands it on a good length around off and gets it to grip. Tucker waits back and swings it behind square leg for just a single.

238 More Updates

See More Updates
Australia vs Ireland Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa delivered a clinical bowling display as Australia defeated Ireland by 67 runs in their Group B opener of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. Defending 183, Australia restricted Ireland to 115 for 9 in 16.5 overs.

Ellis set the tone with a devastating opening spell, claiming 3 for 9 in his first three overs and finishing with superb figures of 4 for 12 in 3.5 overs. Zampa complemented him perfectly, taking 4 for 23 in four overs to dismantle the middle and lower order. George Dockrell’s 41 off 29 balls helped Ireland cross the 100-run mark, while Paul Stirling was retired hurt and did not bat.

Earlier, Australia posted 182 for 6 after opting to bat on a sluggish surface. Josh Inglis (37) and Cameron Green (21) provided early momentum before Matthew Renshaw (37) and Marcus Stoinis (45) stitched together a crucial 61-run partnership. Ireland’s spinners bowled with discipline but were hampered by dropped catches, conceding 53 runs in the final five overs.

With Mitchell Marsh injured and senior quicks unavailable, Australia’s under-strength attack rose to the occasion to begin their campaign in commanding fashion.
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