HIGHLIGHTS Australia vs Ireland, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, 14 T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the all-important run chase. The umpires are back out in the middle as the stand-in captain, Travis Head, leads the Aussie players out in a huddle, before they spread out onto the field. Paul Stirling and Ross Adair are out to open the innings for Ireland as well. The artificial lights are slowly starting to take effect as well. Xavier Bartlett will start proceedings with the ball here. Let's go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A mixed day in the field for Ireland - It was a mixed-bag bowling effort from Ireland, and while they took a few good catches in the field, they dropped a few as well, taking their tally into double digits in this World Cup. However, the spinners were decent through the middle phase, keeping the runs in check as much as possible. Adair picked up a couple, while Tector, Humphreys and Dockrell chipped in, but they could have avoided a few expensive overs and used their off-pace deliveries better to keep Australia to a much lower total. Now, it is up to their batters to step up and go out there with a positive intent, and if a few things go their way, they might just chase this down. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

A composed rebuild and a strong Australian finish - Australia lost Head early to a run out, but Inglis and Green did not let that get in their way and kept scoring at a brisk rate before the latter departed, with the Aussies still managing 64 in the Powerplay. Inglis played a handy knock of 37 off 17, but it was Renshaw who held one end firmly, showing why he is in the side. Stoinis then joined him and provided the impetus as they added a 61-run stand, which did not include many boundaries, but the running between the wickets was superb. Stoinis scored 45 off 29 before a few lusty blows from the lower order pushed Australia past the 180-run mark.

Australia mix patience with power - An all-round batting effort from Australia has taken them to a good total here, especially in the heat and tricky conditions in Colombo. It showed they have learned from the Pakistan series, choosing not to go attack, attack, attack, but instead being smarter about how they built the innings. Ireland are still not out of it, but they will feel they could have done much better with the ball, especially by taking a few of the chances that proved to be their downfall in the first game.

Mark Adair to Cooper Connolly, Nips away with extra bounce, outside off, short in length. Cooper Connolly plays a half-hearted pull shot and doesn't complete the follow-through. The ball is sliced over the leg side and lands in thereabouts of mid-wicket. The fielder from square leg runs across and collects on the bounce. Just a single. 13 runs from the final over. AUSTRALIA FINISH AT 182/6.

Mark Adair to Xavier Bartlett, In-dipping full toss on the pads, this is whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mark Adair to Xavier Bartlett, FOUR! Unlucky for Ireland. A deceptive off cutter, outside off, on a good length. Xavier Bartlett tries to fetch it from the wide line and looks to pull, but gets in an awkward shape due to the lack of pace. Only manages a thick inside edge as the ball rolls to the keeper's left and beats him on the dive before racing to the fence behind.

Mark Adair to Cooper Connolly, Full and outside off, Cooper Connolly looks to go for an expansive drive to the off side but inside edges it past the stumps to short fine leg for a quick single.

Mark Adair to Cooper Connolly, SIX! CLUBBED! Mark slips in a full toss, outside off, and goes pace on this time around. Cooper Connolly waits for it to arrive, stands tall and nails the pull shot over the leg side. It is hit with the wind and it sails into the stands behind deep mid-wicket.

Mark Adair to Cooper Connolly, Not a wide! Adair pushes the line outside off, bowls a slower one, Cooper lets it go, but the ball flirts with the tramline and stays within before bouncing back to the keeper. Good execution.

Last over coming up now. Can Mark Adair keep Australia under 180 here?

Barry McCarthy to Xavier Bartlett, Big heave and a miss! Barry runs from around the stump and hurls it across the batter, taking the pace off, on a length. Xavier Bartlett swings for the hills, only to connect a handful of air. 10 from the penultimate over for Australia. 20 from the last 2.

Barry McCarthy to Xavier Bartlett, FOUR! POWERED AWAY! An off cutter, outside off, on a hard length. Xavier Bartlett plays with a flat batted angle and spanks it gun-barrel straight down the ground, beating long off's dive to his right for a cracking boundary.

Barry McCarthy to Xavier Bartlett, WIDE! Tries to keep far from the arc, but misfires it beyond the tramline, outside off. Xavier is happy to see that off. Wide called.

Barry McCarthy to Xavier Bartlett, Takes pace off again, short and on top of the stumps. Xavier Bartlett stands tall and swats it towards long on and they hare back for the second run.

Barry McCarthy to Cooper Connolly, Slowish short ball, on leg, Cooper Connolly swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Barry McCarthy to Cooper Connolly, On back of a length, over middle and off, Cooper Connolly gets on the toes and bunts it to short cover.

Barry McCarthy to Cooper Connolly, Back of a length around the fourth stump, driven off the back foot to the right of deep point for a brace.

Will Paul Stirling continue with Matthew Humphreys? No, he brings back Barry McCarthy to bowl the penultimate over.

Mark Adair to Xavier Bartlett, Good length, on the stumps, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Ireland manages to hold on to a catch. Xavier Bartlett is the next man in.

Mark Adair to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! CAUGHT! Massive blow for Australia. A low full toss by Adair, on the pads. It is there to be hit, but Marcus Stoinis fails to get underneath it and whips it off the inner half of the bat. The ball dips towards deep backward square leg, where Ben Calitz runs a few yards ahead, gets crouched and takes it with a reverse cup. He doesn't look comfortable, but he balances himself up eventually. A well-constructed 45 off 29 from Marcus Stoinis as he is extremely frustrated with himself for not putting that all the way. Australia are 159/6.

Mark Adair to Marcus Stoinis, Length ball drifting in, a slower one. Stoinis tries to clip it on the leg side but gets a leading edge. It trickles into the vacant mid off region, and they sneak a couple of runs.

Mark Adair to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! MUSCLED! Short and into the pitch. Mark takes the pace off and keeps the line of attack on middle. Marcus Stoinis climbs on it and blasts it beyond deep square leg for a big six.

Mark Adair to Marcus Stoinis, A lot of elixir in the tank despite humidity. Short of a length, climbing on the shoulder height, on middle. Marcus Stoinis waits, waits, and waits for it before pulling it to the deep mid-wicket region. The call is for two as the fielder gets across and gets rid of the ball. Stoinis does not slide his bat in, just skates through to get in as the fielder scores a direct hit at the batting end. He though, is comfortably in.

Mark Adair to Marcus Stoinis, DROPPED! A big chance goes begging here. Short of a length and outside off, Marcus Stoinis backs away and slaps it but does not connect with it from the middle. He shouts 'No, no' as the ball flies towards extra cover. Gareth Delany dives low to his left but fails to hold on to it. Stoinis will look to make the Irish pay now in these last few overs.

Matthew Humphreys to Cooper Connolly, Nearly another! Matthew Humphreys fires in a yorker, just on off. Cooper Connolly is late to get his bat down and fails to dig it out. The ball just goes past the off pole.

Ireland get a timely breakthrough here. That brings Cooper Connolly out in the middle now.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, OUT! BOWLED! A threatening 61-run partnership is broken for the fifth wicket. A back-of-a-length projectile from Humphreys, aimed straight at the stumps going in with the arm, 110.2 kph. Renshaw hangs back, trying to nudge it on the leg side, but he is late as the excessive pace does him in. Gets an inside edge, and the stumps are rattled. A fine 37 off 33 for Renshaw and Australia are 149/5.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, In the air... falls safely! Full and quick, just outside off, Matt Renshaw goes for the reverse sweep, but top edges it over and between the short third and backward point fielders. The short third fielder sprints and dives with his hands stretched in front, but it stays out of his reach. Two taken.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, Skids through on a length, outside off. Stoinis stands tall and crunches it to deep extra cover for a single.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, Full and flat, around off, Marcus Stoinis smashes it to the right of deep point for two more.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, Short of a length, on off, muscled off the back foot to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Matthew Humphreys to bowl out now. He has conceded 26 runs in his 3 overs.

Barry McCarthy to Matt Renshaw, FOUR! Top shot! Barry goes slow again, and hits the deck hard, on off. Matt Renshaw stays back and bludgeons it over the bowler, bisecting long on and long off to perfection for a boundary. 13 runs from the over.

Barry McCarthy to Matt Renshaw, Another piece of excellent running between the wickets. Lands it around off, an off cutter, on a length that stays low. Matt Renshaw waits on it and pulls it along the ground, wide of deep mid-wicket and they sprint back for the second run. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Renshaw and Stoinis. They have worked very hard out there in the heat and humidity, but more importantly, have hung in there, keeping the dot-ball percentage very low.

Barry McCarthy to Marcus Stoinis, On a short of a length, Marcus pulls it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Barry McCarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Fine running by these two! Back of a length, outside off, Marcus Stoinis hangs back and steers through backward point for two more.

Barry McCarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Slower length ball, on the stumps, Marcus Stoinis pulls it to deep mid-wicket and scampers through for the second run. Harry Tector again sprints in from the deep and gets rid of the ball to the bowling end, but misses his shy. A direct hit would have been interesting there.

Barry McCarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Shortish ball, on middle, Marcus Stoinis heaves it flatly off the inner half of the bat. Harry Tector runs in off the ropes and dives forward but the ball half volleys and hits his right wrist before rolling away for two runs. Regardless, a fine effort in the deep by Harry.

Pace is back on in form of Barry McCarthy. Went for 14 in his first over.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, FOUR! That spoils the over a bit! George Dockrell bowls a bit too short and around off. Matt Renshaw is quick to get on his back foot and crunches it through covers for a boundary after 17 balls.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Another short delivery, on off, Marcus Stoinis backs away and slaps it to long off for one.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Sees the batter advance, drags his length back, on middle. Matt Renshaw adjusts well and flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Short and around off, Marcus Stoinis punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Tossed up, full and on off, Marcus Stoinis pushes it wide of short extra cover and comes back for the second run.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Flighted, short and around off, Marcus Stoinis changes his stance for the reverse paddle but fails to connect.

DRINKS BREAK. It has been a slow burn since Maxwell's departure. But these two have played the situation very well against the barrage of spin deployed by Ireland. The run rate is not that great, but it is not too underwhelming by any means for Australia. If anyone from these two bats till the end, they can easily get to that 180-run mark, or even more than that. Ireland will look to break this partnership as quickly as possible. They’ve done a decent job keeping the scoring in check so far, and they will need to maintain that discipline right to the end. George Dockrell (3-0-22-1) will bowl out. He replaces Matthew Humphreys.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Flatter and shorter, outside off. Matt Renshaw tries to cut it a bit too hard and ends up chopping it down on the pitch.

Gareth Delany to Marcus Stoinis, Slower through the air, full and on middle, turns in, Marcus Stoinis looks to drive but gets an inside edge through mid-wicket for a run.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Slightly shorter and on the pads, Matt Renshaw flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, A googly, short and around off, turns away. Matt Renshaw moves back and punches it away wide of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Tossed up, full and outside off, Matt Renshaw extends his arms to reach out and drills it to short extra cover.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Flighted, full and on middle, Matt Renshaw knocks it back to the bowler.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, Quicker again, full and around off, Matt Renshaw steps across early and bunts it out to long on for one more.

The current partnership is worth 27 runs between Stoinis and Renshaw.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, TWO WIDES! Fires this one full but down the leg side. Marcus Stoinis misses his flick, and Lorcan Tucker only manages to parry it towards short fine. A wide given and a bye taken.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, Drags his length back a bit, on middle, Matt Renshaw comes forward and punches it to long on for another run.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, Pushed through quicker, full and outisde off, Matt Renshaw steps across to work it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, Flighted, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis eases it to long off for a run.

Matthew Humphreys to Marcus Stoinis, Nicely bowled! Tossed up, full and on middle, grips and turns away. Marcus Stoinis looks to push it away but gets an outside edge along the ground towards shorth third.

Matthew Humphreys to Matt Renshaw, Floated, shortish and on off, turns in, Matt Renshaw waits for it a bit and knocks it down to long on for a single. Nelson on the board now.

20 from the last 2 overs for Australia as this partnership is budding steadily between Stoinis and Renshaw. Matthew Humphreys (2-0-20-0) is called back into the attack, replacing George Dockrell.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! That's just a gift! Harry Tector bowls this way short and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Marcus Stoinis does not miss out and helps it on its way to the deep fine leg fence for another boundary. 12 runs off the over.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, Drops it short and around off, Marcus Stoinis punches it away wide of sweeper cover and comes back for the second run.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Nicely done! Harry Tector bowls this quicker, from around the wicket, shortish and angling away. Marcus Stoinis lets the ball come to him, opens the face of his bat and uses the pace to guide it in the small gap between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Flatter, short and outside off, Matt Renshaw hangs back and steers it through backward point for a run. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, Short and on middle, turns in, Marcus Stoinis stays back and punches it to long on for a single.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, Floated, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis gets down and reverse paddles it but fails to beat short third.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Another short delivery, on off, Marcus Stoinis forces it down to long off for one.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Flighted, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis shows the full face of the bat and drives it straight down the ground, wide of long off. He calls for two, and gets it easily, with the fielder making a diving stop to his right.

George Dockrell to Marcus Stoinis, Dragged down, on off. Marcus Stoinis stays back and punches it hard and wide of sweeper cover. The fielder runs to his right and slides to make the stop. Two taken.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Short again and outside off, Matt Renshaw reaches out and punches it to long off fora single.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Floated, short and around off, Matt Renshaw opens the face of his bat and guides it away wide of deep point for a brace.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Tossed up, full and on middle, Matt Renshaw steps across and clips it to short mid-wicket.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, A tight off break, on a length, on off, Marcus Stoinis knocks it to the left of the bowler. A very profitable over for Ireland. At halfway, Australia are 90/4.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Landed on a length, on off, Matt Renshaw goes on the back foot and works it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Harry Tector to Marcus Stoinis, Short, outside off, this is slapped off the back foot to deep cover for a single.

A massive wicket for Ireland. Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat now.

Harry Tector to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Tector strikes and strikes very big for Ireland. Harry stays around the stumps and bowls another round-arm ball, but this time, he pushes it flatter and quicker, across the batter with a good drift. Glenn Maxwell is hurried on the back foot and looks to cut it away, but the ball grazes the inside edge as it skids through and stays low. Lorcan Tucker takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. Glenn Maxwell stands there in absolute disbelief and departs for not many. Just a run-a-ball 9 for him and Australia are reduced to 88/4.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, A round-arm delivery, fractionally full and slightly outside off, Matt Renshaw goes back and bunts it across to the mid-wicket region for a quick single.

Harry Tector to Glenn Maxwell, Pitched short, on off, Glenn Maxwell drags it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Sprays it miles outside off on a good length. Matt Renshaw throws his bat at it and slaps it to deep point for two more. 9 runs from the over. 17 from the last 2 for Australia.

George Dockrell to Glenn Maxwell, Nicely floated, full and wide outside off, Glenn Maxwell carves it through cover for another solo.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Goes short, at 91.5 kph, does Dockrell. Outside off and Renshaw hangs deep in the crease and heaves it to widish long on for a single.

George Dockrell to Glenn Maxwell, A bit too full, around off, Glenn Maxwell slices it to deep cover-point for an easy single.

George Dockrell to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! PUNISHED! George bowls it short again, on the middle stump line. Glenn Maxwell gets enough time to rock back and finds the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

George Dockrell to Glenn Maxwell, In-dipping short ball, on off, Glenn Maxwell stands tall and eases it back to the bowler.

Harry Tector to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and pushed fuller, around off. Glenn Maxwell uses his wrists and flicks it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a run.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Slower through the air, on middle, drifting in. Matt Renshaw uses the depth of the crease and whips it to deep square leg for one more.

Harry Tector to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, at 88 kph, outside off, Maxwell cuts it off the back foot to the right of deep backward point for a single to open his account.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Shortish length, on middle, Matt goes deep in the crease and nudges it past square leg for a single.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Around off this time, full in length. Matt Renshaw gets a bit across and again paddles it to the left of deep fine leg for two more runs.

Harry Tector to Matt Renshaw, Looped on the pads, on a fuller length, Matt Renshaw sits down and paddles it finer to deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Harry Tector comes into the attack now.

George Dockrell to Glenn Maxwell, Just outside off, on a good length, Glenn backs away and chop-cuts it to backward point.

Top three are gone for Australia inside 7 overs. Glenn Maxwell is the next man in.

George Dockrell to Josh Inglis, OUT! TAKEN! A screamer of a catch by the skipper, Stirling. Smartly bowled by Dockrell. Lands this around the off stump, on a fractionally fuller length, offering good bit of flight. It lands and turns with some bounce. Josh Inglis is sucked into the shot and tries to smash it through cover, or maybe, trying to loft it over the cover fielder. But the ball holds on the surface and arrives later than he expected it to. Ends up tamely chipping it towards cover where Paul Stirling times his leap nicely to his right and takes a flat catch over his head. The Irishmen are joyous as they get a big wicket. A quickfire 37 off 17 from Josh Inglis. Australia are 69/3.

George Dockrell to Josh Inglis, FOUR! That's a good shot! Short in length, on middle and leg. Josh Inglis rushes onto the back foot and nails the pull shot, perfectly between long on and deep mid-wicket. Gareth Delany runs to his left from the latter position and puts in a dive, but fails to prevent the boundary.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, A touch short, outside off, Matt Renshaw hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Nice and full, on middle, Matt leans on and pushes it back to the bowler.

George Dockrell to Matt Renshaw, Oh, this one stays low on the bounce. On a length, grips into the batter. Matt Renshaw stays put and tries to whack it across to the leg side, but misses. The ball thuds his front pad and lobs and lands around the silly point region.

DRINKS! Australia have scored over 10 runs an over in the first six overs, but also lost a couple of wickets. However, Josh Inglis is looking in great touch, and Matt Renshaw has been added to the squad for exactly this situation, where he can manipulate the spinners in the middle phase, while the others around him can be the aggressor. Ireland have been better in the field, despite dropping a catch in the first over, but they have to keep picking wickets at regular intervals and cannot let the Aussies settle in here. Also, here is George Dockrell to bowl after the break.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Serves it full and around middle and leg, Matt Renshaw flicks it along the carpet to deep mid-wicket for a single. Australia are 64/2 as the Powerplay concludes.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Pushed wide outside off, away from the arc, on a length, Matt lets it be.

Gareth Delany to Josh Inglis, Flat again, full and on leg, Josh Inglis whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Gareth Delany to Matt Renshaw, Flat and into the pitch, Matt gets across and dinks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Gareth Delany to Josh Inglis, Pushed on the leg stump, on a fuller length, Josh Inglis drills it down to long on for a single.

Gareth Delany to Josh Inglis, FOUR! A delightful shot! A leg break from Gareth, full and on leg, Josh Inglis shuffles outside leg and lofts it inside out over the extra cover fielder for a boundary.

The 49-run partnership is broken. The southpaw, Matt Renshaw, makes his way to the crease at number 4. Had a pretty decent Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat. And he is known for his good strike rate against the spinners. And talking about spin, Gareth Delany is into the attack now.

Mark Adair to Cameron Green, OUT! TAKEN! Mark Adair has the last laugh here. He rolls his fingers to take pace off the ball, pulls his length back too, on middle. Cameron Green once again tries to go leg side and has a slog across the line but goes through it early. It takes the inside half of the bat and flies towards mid-wicket, where George Dockrell dives forward to take a fine catch. Green departs for a quick 21 off 11, and Australia are 56/2.

Mark Adair to Cameron Green, SIX! That has gone miles! Mark Adair goes back to his fuller length, on middle and leg, right in the slot. Cameron Green clears his front leg away and gives it a whack. He hits it with the wind and the ball sails over the deep square leg fence, into the second tier for half a dozen.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, On a good length, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, WIDE! Fuller again but down the leg side, Josh Inglis fails to glance it away. Called a wide.

Mark Adair to Cameron Green, Pitched up and around middle, Cameron Green swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, Fuller and on midlde, Josh Inglis clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, SIX! A misjudgement in the deep! Mark Adair lands this short of a length and on middle, Josh Inglis pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket. It looks to be going over, but just holds up in the wind. Gareth Delany moves to his right to grab it, but he just steps on the ropes while taking the catch. He flicks it up and then grabs it again, but he knows that it is a six. The replay confirms the same. Just a bit more awareness of his surroundings, and Delany would have taken it.

We have just got started here in Colombo, but it was a loooooong game in Ahmedabad. That game went into the Super Over, which was also tied. But South Africa managed to hold their nerves in the second Super Over and eventually crossed the line, handing Afghanistan their second defeat in this World Cup. But to their credit, Afghanistan pushed the Proteas to deep waters. Right. Back here. Pace in tandem. Mark Adair is back on. He replaces Matthew Humphreys.

Barry McCarthy to Cameron Green, Length again and around leg too, Cameron Green flicks it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Barry McCarthy to Cameron Green, SIX! BANG! Cameron Green goes big now. Barry McCarthy pulls his length back a bit, on leg, tries to follow the batter. Green is quick to move to the leg side, picks it up and whips it against the wind over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Barry McCarthy to Cameron Green, FOUR! Up and over! Barry McCarthy goes fuller this time, on middle. Cameron Green backs away, stays leg side of the ball and thumps it over mid off for a boundary.

Barry McCarthy to Josh Inglis, Follows the batter again, lands this on a hard length, on leg, Josh Inglis works it to deep square leg for a run.

Barry McCarthy to Cameron Green, Good length and on middle, angling into the leg side, Cameron Green tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Barry McCarthy to Cameron Green, Another mix-up but no harm done! Back of a length and on middle, nips back in a bit. Cameron Green drops it down beside the pitch on the leg side and sets off for the run, but is sent back. Barry McCarthy runs forward on his follow-through and kicks the ball onto the stumps, but Green has dragged his bat in.

Barry McCarthy replaces Mark Adair from this end.

Matthew Humphreys to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Not from the middle, but Josh Inglis won't mind it! Matthew Humphreys pushes this through quicker, shortish and on off. Josh Inglis backs away and tries to punch it away, but gets hurried and the ball takes the outside edge. It races past short third and backward point and to the fence for four more runs. 14 runs off the over!

Matthew Humphreys to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Poor delivery and rightly punished! A half-tracker but down the leg side as well. Josh Inglis opens up his stance and heaves it away to the deep backward square leg fence for another boundary.

Matthew Humphreys to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Gets it through! Quicker delivery, short and outside off. Josh Inglis makes a bit of room, gets his hands through and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

Matthew Humphreys to Cameron Green, Drops it short and on middle, Cameron Green pats it wide of mid on for a run.

Matthew Humphreys to Cameron Green, Flatter, full and on middle, angling in again, Cameron Green uses his feet and drives it to extra cover.

Matthew Humphreys to Josh Inglis, Short and angling into the leg side, Josh Inglis flicks it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mark Adair to Cameron Green, On a length and on middle, Cameron Green blocks it out.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, Touch fuller on middle, Josh Inglis works it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on for one.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Put away! Mark Adair lands this on a hard length and around off. Josh Inglis stays back, opens the face of his bat and just guides it away. He times it well and finds the gap between point and cover-point for a boundary.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, Pitched up and on off, Josh Inglis drives it towards mid off.

Mark Adair to Josh Inglis, Back of a length and around off, Josh Inglis punches it to extra cover.

Australia lose the early wicket and Head's dropped catch doesn't cost Ireland much. Cameron Green walks in at number 3.

Mark Adair to Travis Head, OUT! TRAVIS HEAD IS RUN OUT! Talk about redemption, Ben Calitz has done just that and make amends for his dropped catch in the first over. Mark Adair begins with a good-length delivery, on middle, Head pats it down to the leg side off the inner edge and calls for the run. There is a bit of a mix-up and Head stops, but then sees his partner is already halfway through, and then starts again. Calitz from square leg is quick to the ball and throws it to the bowler's end, where Mark Adair grabs it cleanly ahead of the stumps and takes the bails off, with Head short of his crease. The replay also confirms the same. Head falls for 6 off 7.

Is Head run out? Ben Calitz threw the ball to the bowler who whipped the bails off and the replay shows that Head is out just by a margin.

Pace or spin from the other end? Pace it shall be. Here's Mark Adair into the attack.

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, Quicker delivery, shortish and on middle, skids through. Travis Head moves back to swipe it away but misses as the ball goes off his pads behind. It then deflects off the keeper's gloves towards short fine. A leg bye taken. End of an eventful first over!

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, DROPPED! Ireland puts another catch down in this World Cup. Shorter in length and outside off. Travis Head tries to cut it away but fails to keep it down. It flies towards backward point, where Ben Calitz leans forward but fails to hold on to it. Head gets an early life and this could prove very costly for the Irish.

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, Pushed through quicker, full and on middle, Travis Head stays back and blocks it back to the bowler.

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, FOUR! Nice shot! Matthew Humphreys drops it short again and around off. Travis Head rocks back, gets on top of it and punches it sweetly through covers for the first boundary of the game.

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, Flatter, short and around off, Travis Head stays back and stabs it out towards backward point.

Matthew Humphreys to Travis Head, Travis Head and Australia are underway! Matthew Humphreys starts with a floater, short and on middle, turns in. Head moves back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

All in readiness now! We can see the Irish players make their way out to the middle, led by Paul Stirling. They spread out and take their respective field positions. Travis Head and Josh Inglis are the two openers for Australia. We will see spin right away as Matthew Humphreys has the new ball in hand. Let's play...

The giant flags of both nations are unfurled in the middle. Both captains lead their respective sides out to the middle as it is time for the national anthems. It will be Ireland's first, followed by the Australian national anthem.

PITCH REPORT - Ramiz Raja is pitchside with his analysis. He reports a clear day and also mentions that the comfort level is below par due to the humidity. About the dimensions, he points out that the square boundaries are 77 and 71 meters, respectively, with the straight hit being a long one, measuring 84 meters. Then adds that this pitch looks like an absolute turner and calls the giant figure of Matthew Hayden to know his reading as well. Matthew Hayden reiterates that there is not much grass on the surface, so the spinners will get a good bit of assistance. He highlights that in the previous game, 25 overs out of 40 were bowled by spinners and the boundaries were hard to come by. Details that the batters of both Sri Lanka and Ireland preferred going deep in the crease and playing their shots, which made it difficult for them to generate power. He stresses the more the batters commit on the front foot, the more power they will get to access the boundaries.

SUPER OVER TIME - Let the game start, mate. Chirps my friend. For those just tuning in, over in Ahmedabad, the clash between South Africa and Afghanistan has gone all the way to a Super Over. The Super Over is underway and South Africa are tasked with scoring 18 runs to win the game. It is getting spicy out there and that game has absolutely lived upto its billing. So as we wait for the first ball here, you can simply switch the tabs and keep yourself entertained.

The captain of Ireland - PAUL STIRLING says that they would have batted first as well. He acknowledges the challenges from their previous game, noting that the packed schedule hasn’t left much time for extensive training. He says the team is focused on a fresh start and aims to eliminate the obvious errors from their last outing. Having played at the venue before, Stirling expresses confidence that their understanding of the conditions could work in their favour. On familiarity with the conditions, he adds that knowing how the pitch behaves and how the environment plays could provide a slight edge, without comparing themselves directly to other teams. Regarding team selection, Stirling confirms that they are in with the same side for this match.

The stand-in captain of Australia - TRAVIS HEAD says that it looks like a good wicket, used one and runs on the board will be a good thing. Adds that Marsh copped a blow in the nets a couple of days ago, and jokingly says no one wanted to step up for him, so he did. Tells it is good to have a few players back in the squad as well. Mentions that they were looking at the block of 19 games ahead of this World Cup, and the Pakistan series didn't go their way but they still want to play fearless cricket. Ends by saying that they are an experienced side who have played in a lot of World Cups, there is always ups and downs, it is a rollercoaster but it is all about how you solve the problems.

Ireland (Unchanged Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, and Matthew Humphreys.

Australia (Playing XI) - Josh Inglis (WK), Travis Head (C), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Matthew Kuhnemann.

TOSS - Right. It is coming to toss time in Colombo. And hang on, if my eyes are serving me well, it is Travis Head who is holding the team sheet for Australia. We are hearing that Mitchell Marsh is sitting out due to an injury. This is getting frustrating for Australia and they haven't even got underway in this tournament. Paul Stirling is out too and we are ready. The coin flip lands in favor of Travis Head. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO BAT FIRST.

Grip, turn, trouble - The first game at Khettarama told us everything we needed to know. Ireland and Sri Lanka combined for 25 overs of spin, and out of 16 wickets that fell in the match, 10 came against the tweakers. With both sides showing recent vulnerabilities against spin, this match could very well be decided by whoever handles the turners better. Simple as that. With a 2-0 record against Ireland, Australia still enter as the favourites. But can the Irishmen string a surprise in Colombo? Toss and teams coming up next shortly.

Aussies under examination - Australia might be short on pace resources, but Colombo could actually play right into their hands. The conditions here favour spin heavily, and the Aussies have plenty of it. Zampa, their leading wicket taker in T20Is, and Kuhnemann could both feature together, with Maxwell and Connolly, if he gets a nod, adding even more variety to the attack. But, coming into this World Cup off the back of a 3-0 loss to Pakistan, where spin majorly troubled their batters, they will be under serious scrutiny in similar conditions. With Tim David confirmed out as he recovers from a hamstring injury and Nathan Ellis available for selection, the combination the Aussies go with will be fascinating to watch.

The Irishmen aim for redemption - Any batter can get out on a duck and your best bowler can have an off day. Those things happen in cricket. But when the fielding falls apart completely, that’s what makes a big difference. Ireland dropped seven catches against Sri Lanka. Seven. Against a quality side like Australia, who are renowned for gatecrashing through the narrowest of openings, they cannot afford that kind of generosity now. With improvements needed across batting and death over bowling as well, the fielding mess is just another fire Ireland need to extinguish before it burns their entire campaign down.

Not as simple as it looks - On paper, Group B looks like a comfortable ride for Australia. Sri Lanka pose the strongest challenge as the only other top 10-ranked side, and the rest? Easy pickings, or so it seems. But this tournament has already shown that the associates aren’t here to make up the numbers. They’re here to fight, and they have been doing exactly that. ‘Straaya’ will have to bring their A game every single time, because in this format, on any given day, anyone can beat anyone. And given Australia's recent form and the forced tinkering with the squad, they actually don't have a very good momentum at their disposal.

The Game goes on - Day 5. Game 2. Almost becoming a reality, time and cricket never stop for anyone. Match 14 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is upon us. Placed in Group B, the 2021 title holders, Australia, finally get their campaign underway in the tournament against a bruised Ireland at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium of Colombo. On that note, a very warm welcome to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

Colombo carnival - The ICC Men's T20 World Cup isn't slowing down for anyone. City after city, match after match, it just keeps coming. And now it's Colombo's turn to host the party as the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium gears up for another delicious Group B battle. Australia are finally here. Match 14 is upon us, and Ireland are the ones standing in their way. As things stand - Every team in Group B has already had a crack, except Australia. Zimbabwe top the group standings so far, after their thumping win over Oman which has helped their net run rate massively. Ireland did challenge Sri Lanka to an extent, but the co-hosts proved a bit too better to be beaten. For the Irishmen, another defeat here would really peg them back from the pack. With no disrespect to them, the Aussies are heavy favourites coming in, and it would take something truly inspirational from Paul Stirling and his men to change that narrative. Where are the fangs? Australia have had more column inches written about who isn't here than who is. And understandably so as their bowling attack, usually their armour, has question marks hanging over it. Cummins is out. Hazlewood's participation remains a question mark. The experience and the venom that usually defines Australian pace bowling simply isn't there. Nathan Ellis takes charge of the attack, fresh from his own hamstring injury, with Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett alongside him. The BBL form of both is encouraging, but a World Cup is a completely different stage. Australia will be hoping they're ready for it. On the spin front, Mitchell Marsh is actually spoilt for choice, particularly with conditions in Sri Lanka likely to suit the slower bowlers. Adam Zampa leads the way with his leg spin, backed up by left-armers Matthew Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly. Maxwell adds another spin option while also bringing his all-round firepower to the table. Stoinis and Green complete a well-rounded squad, both capable of chipping in with genuine medium pace when needed. The spin department, at least, looks well covered. Deep, dangerous and destructive - Australia's batting? No complaints there. Marsh has been their standout since the 2024 World Cup, one of three centurions in the squad alongside Tim David and Josh Inglis. Green averages 43.18 in this period, which is the best among the pack and screams consistency. Renshaw's late call-up adds a left-handed threat at the top, and honestly, do we even need to talk about what Maxwell and Stoinis can do with the bat? We all know. However, the major chink in their armour is Travis Head’s form coming into this competition. And there’s no sugarcoating it. No half century since September 2024, a highest of just 31, and a tour of Pakistan he'd rather forget. But here's the thing about Head. Tournament cricket brings out a completely different animal. A T20 World Cup average of 42.5 suggests he knows exactly when to turn it on. The Emeralds hunt for brilliance - Over the years, Ireland have been one of the most improved sides in the cricketing landscape. However, when it comes to the mega events like this, their record speaks otherwise. In 29 matches in the T20 World Cups over the years, they have won just 7 of those. Of these, the biggest win came against England in the 2022 edition, which was also their most successful campaign till date. For any team to succeed, the captain needs to fire. But for Ireland, Paul Stirling’s form has been underwhelming as he had a forgetful 2025 where he averaged just 20.43, going fifty-less in the calendar year. Harry Tector has been their most successful batter since the last T20 World Cup while Ross Adair is the only centurion in this stretch. Overall, Ireland need to address their batting inconsistencies which got exposed against Sri Lanka in their first game. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, recent first) - Australia - LLLLL | Ireland - LWWLW. What do the records say? Ireland and Australia have faced each other twice, and the Irish have lost on both occasions, and both in the T20 World Cups. And one defeat came during the 2012 edition at the same venue, when George Bailey used to lead the Aussies and William Porterfield was the Irish captain. Ireland, on the other hand, have lost their last six T20 World Cup matches, and a seventh consecutive loss will be their longest streak in the history of this tournament. With so much at stake, expect a cracker.