KEY POINTS
- Nathan Ellis registered career-best figures of 4 for 12 as Ireland folded for 115 in 16.5 overs.
- Adam Zampa snared 4 for 23, combining with Ellis to take eight wickets for just 35 runs.
- Marcus Stoinis smashed 45 in 61-run stand with Renshaw to lift Australia past 180.
- Ireland lost four wickets inside 11 deliveries, with Paul Stirling retiring hurt.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Australia produced a clinical bowling masterclass at the R Premadasa Stadium, skittling Ireland for just 115 runs to secure a thumping 67-run victory in Group B T20 World Cup encounter on Wednesday.
Nathan Ellis claimed career-best figures of 4 for 12, while Adam Zampa spun a web around the Irish middle order with 4 for 23, as Australia defended their total of 182 for 6 with ruthless efficiency.
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
Stoinis, Renshaw propel Australia to commanding total
Sent in to bat, Australia recovered from early jitters to post an imposing 182 for 6 on a true surface.
Captain Travis Head’s aggressive intent lasted just seven balls, brilliantly run out by Calitz and Mark Adair for 6.
But Josh Inglis counter-attacked immediately, racing to 37 from just 17 deliveries with six fours before holing out to Stirling off Dockrell.
Cameron Green showed his immense power, clearing the ropes twice in a brisk 21, but Adair removed him in the fifth over to leave Australia at 69 for 3.
Matt Renshaw then anchored the innings with uncharacteristic composure, grinding his way to 37 from 33 balls. His sedate approach allowed Marcus Stoinis to detonate at the other end.
Stoinis produced a brutal 45 from 29 deliveries, clubbing two towering sixes in a pivotal 61-run stand with Renshaw.
The platform set, Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly plundered 23 from the final 12 balls, Bartlett crashing two boundaries, Connolly clearing the rope once, to lift Australia past 180.
Ellis strikes early as Ireland stumble
Ireland’s chase unravelled within the first three overs.
Paul Stirling, opening the innings, retired hurt after just one ball, a mysterious early departure that left Ireland immediately destabilised.
Nathan Ellis then produced a devastating spell of pace bowling. Ross Adair edged behind for 12, Curtis Campher slashed to Green for a golden duck, and Ben Calitz fell lbw for 2. In the space of 11 deliveries, Ireland had slumped to 27 for 4.
Harry Tector had already departed for a three-ball duck, caught behind off Matthew Kuhnemann. Ireland were drowning.
Australia begin their #T20WorldCup campaign with a dominant victory over Ireland 🔥
📝: https://t.co/JAY98fldkw pic.twitter.com/ACelQ3NsCH
— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2026
Zampa spins web through middle order
If Ellis inflicted the wounds, Adam Zampa ensured there would be no recovery.
The leg-spinner extracted sharp turn and deceptive bounce, first removing Gareth Delany caught behind for 11. He then returned to dismantle any remaining resistance.
Lorcan Tucker, who had battled diligently for 24 off 27, was brilliantly caught by Connolly at long-on.
George Dockrell fought valiantly, stroking 41 from 29 balls with three fours and two sixes, but Zampa had him stumped off a teasing leg-break.
Mark Adair swung briefly for 12 before Connolly held another catch. Barry McCarthy fell to Ellis, and the innings ended fittingly, Ellis’s fourth wicket, Ireland dismissed for 115, a full 19.1 overs unused.
Ellis, Zampa share eight wickets and glory
Nathan Ellis’s figures of 4 for 12 from 3.5 overs represented the finest bowling performance of his T20 international career. His nagging accuracy, subtle variations, and ability to strike in clusters dismantled Ireland’s top and tail.
Adam Zampa’s 4 for 23 extended his reputation as Australia’s premier white-ball wicket-taker in the subcontinent. Together, the pair claimed eight Irish scalps for just 35 runs.
Matthew Kuhnemann provided able support with 1 for 29 from his four overs, while Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly remained wicketless but economical.
Ruthless Australia send warning
The 67-run victory propels Australia to the top of Group B and sends a clear message to tournament rivals. After a shaky batting display that required Stoinis’s rescue act, the bowling unit responded with venom and precision.
Brief Scores
Australia 182 for 6 (Stoinis 45, Inglis 37, Renshaw 37; Adair 2-44) defeated Ireland 115 all out in 16.5 overs (Dockrell 41; Ellis 4-12, Zampa 4-23) by 67 runs.
Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis (4 for 12)
