AUS vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026: Ellis wrecks Ireland’s top order

Early inroads for Australia

Matt Renshaw has dropped a simple chance, but Australia still managed early breakthroughs. Matt Kuhnemann, who shared the new ball, had Harry Tector taken in the deep by Cameron Green then Nathan Ellis completely bamboozled Ross Adair with his first delivery – it was a back-of-the-hand slower ball which Adair did not pick up at all, and it took middle stump. And two balls later Ellis had his second when Curtis Campher pulled to midwicket where Green used his height (he’s tall, you know).

Stirling retires hurt first ball

A huge blow for Ireland off the first ball of their chase with captain Paul Stirling retiring hurt. He jabbed a full delivery from Xavier Bartlett to the leg side, set off for a run and was almost immediately and was barely capable of making it to the other end. After a few minutes he walked off the field. Fellow opener Ross Adair responded with a four and six off Bartlett.

Australia find a way to 182

We’ve seen a different side to Australia today. They came into the tournament billed as six-hitters throughout, but the pitch and the bowling haven’t allowed them to play that way barring the early dip from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green. However, they have still managed to work their way to 182 which feels very competitive on this surface. Only 35 dot balls in the innings, and 22 twos.

Matt Renshaw’s 37 off 33 balls is the kind of innings that will be judged in hindsight, but he had to navigate a period of time to ensure the lower order wasn’t exposed too soon. Marcus Stoinis played very well and looked when he cut loose when he found deep midwicket. Ireland couldn’t chase 164 against Sri Lanka.

Renshaw’s wait

Against the last ball of the 15th over, Matt Renshaw ultimately found the boundary when he drives George Dockrell’s final delivery to deep cover. Until then it had been a proper innings of nudge and nurdle from Renshaw on a slow pitch where timing looked difficult. Then, like London buses, Renshaw clubbed Barry McCarthy down the ground in the next over when the pace was back on the ball

When do Australia cut loose?

Australia hasn’t gone through the gears yet. And they have a bit of a problem. Cooper Connolly is next in and he is in desperate form with the bat then it’s the bowlers. So this pair may need to take it quite deep. Ireland’s spinners are proving difficult to get away and boundaries haven’t come. As of facing 27 balls, Renshaw hadn’t hit one.

Stephen Smith has been called up to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad as cover after captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of their opening match against Ireland. Marsh suffered a blow to the groin during training earlier this week which has led to testicular bleeding.

Marsh did his pre-match press conference as scheduled on Tuesday. But news emerged of his absence from the game just 15 minutes before the toss in Columbus.

“He [Marsh] is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricted his movement,” a CA statement said. “Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice.

“Standby player Steven Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to accustomize and prepare, should he be required.”

Marsh’s unavailability means that Australia are effectively selecting from just 12 players for their opening match with Josh Hazlewood yet to be officially replaced in the squad and Tim David being held back for the Zimbabwe game on Friday after the hamstring injury which ended his BBL. Sean Abbott is there, but as a traveling reserve and not an official part of the squad yet.

Smith, who played his last T20I in February 2024, is now a step closer to being parachuted into Australia’s World Cup squad after making a compelling case during his BBL campaign with Sydney Sixers where he looted 299 runs at 59.80 and a strike-rate of 167.97 in six innings.

Australia’s The build-up to the tournament has been hit by a number of injuries with Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both ruled out of the initial squad.

Travis Head will captain Australia in the opening match of the T20 World Cup against Ireland after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out moments before the game after suffering a blow to the groin in training earlier in the week which has caused testicular bleeding.

Marsh’s injury left Australia selecting from just 12 players for this game after the decision was made to hold Tim David back until the Zimbabwe match as he continues his return from a hamstring problem.

Josh Inglis will move to the top of the order to partner Head while Cooper Connolly is selected in a spin-heavy attack which also features fellow left-armer Matt Kuhnemann. Ben Dwarshuis is the only available player left out.

Head opted to bat first on winning the toss. “Looks like a good wicket,” he said. “The Pakistan series didn’t go our way, but what’s important is this tournament.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling said he would have done the same as his side look to bounce back from their opening defeat against Sri Lanka. “It helps we know the conditions and how the pitch will do,” he said. “Gives us a fraction of an advantage.”

Ireland named an unchanged XI.

Australia 1 Travis Head(capt), 2 Josh Inglis(wk), 3 Cameron Green, 4 Matt Renshaw, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Cooper Connolly, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Matt Kuhnemann

Ireland 1 Paul Stirling (capt), 2 Ross Adair, 3 Harry Tector, 4 Lorcan Ticker (capt), 5 Curtis Campher, 6 Ben Calitz, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 George Docrell, 9 Mark Adair, 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Matthew Humphreys

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