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Australia thrashed Ireland by 42 runs after a clinical all-round performance in a Group 1 match of the Super 12 stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Gabba, on Monday.
With this victory, the defending champions Australia now has five points from their four matches and has climbed to the second spot in the Group 1 table while Ireland are at the fourth spot with three points from their four games.
After being asked to bat first, Australia skipper Aaron Finch played a brilliant knock of 63 from 44 deliveries with five fours and three sixes to help his team put a strong total of 179/5 in 20 overs on the board. Apart from Finch, there were also some valuable contributions with the bat by the Australian all-rounders. Marcus Stoinis scored 35 off 25 balls with three fours and a six while Mitchell Marsh added 28 off 22 balls with two fours and as many sixes to help the hosts put a commanding total on the board.
Australia got off to a poor start as pace-bowler Barry McCarthy dismissed opener David Warner caught at short fine leg in the third over of the innings which restricted Australia to a score of 38/1 at the end of the powerplay.
After the powerplay, Marsh and Finch shifted their gears and started taking on the bowlers to add a crucial partnership of 52 off 36 balls for the second wicket. Australia were reduced to 60/1 in 8.1 overs when Marsh was dismissed by McCarthy. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell was the next to be dismissed on 13 off 9 by Joshua Little after hitting a maximum.
However, It was Marcus Stoinis who along with Finch helped Australia to recover from a difficult situation as both of them added a crucial 70 run stand from 36 deliveries to take their team from 84/3 in 10.5 overs to 154/4 in 16.5 overs.
Barry McCarthy then brought an end to Finch’s innings on 63 off 44 while Stoinis also contributed well with his 35 off 25 deliveries. Matthew Wade and Tim David played a late cameo towards the end and remained unbeaten on 7 (3) and 15 (10) respectively, to help Australia get to 179/5 in their alloted 20 overs.
Barry McCarthy was the pick of the bowler for Ireland as he ended with brilliant figures of 3/29 from his four overs while left-arm pacer Josh Little also took 2/21 from his four.
While chasing the target, Lorcan Tucker was the lone warrior for Ireland, as he saw his partners losing wickets at the other end. He batted with authority and looked in complete control over his shots. He played a magnificent knock at a strike rate of 147.91 to remain unbeaten on 71 off 48 deliveries with nine fours and one six.
Although Tucker got some support from the lower order, it was not enough as Ireland were eventually bowled out for 137-10 in 18.1 overs, losing by 42 runs.
Glenn Maxwell took 2/14 from 2.1 overs while leg-spinner Adam Zampa ended with figures of 2/19 from his four overs. Pace-bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc also took two wickets each as Australia won the match by 42 runs and climbed to the second spot in Group 1 points table.
Australian skipper Aaron Finch was awarded Player of the Match for his 63 off 44 deliveries.
Brief Scores:
Australia – 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Aaron Finch 63, Marcus Stoinis scored 35; Barry McCarthy 3/29) beat Ireland 137-10 in 18.1 overs (Lorcan Tucker 71 not out; Glenn Maxwell 2/14, Adam Zampa 2/19) by 42 runs.
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