Colombo, Feb 11 (UNI) From a last-minute setback to a statement start, Australia turned adversity into authority as Travis Head marked his first outing as T20I captain with a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opener at the R Premadasa Stadium here on Wednesday.
With regular skipper Mitchell Marsh ruled out due to a testicular injury, Head stepped into leadership amid uncertainty. By the end of the evening, however, Nathan Ellis’ deceptive slower balls and Adam Zampa’s spin web had ensured Australia began their campaign in emphatic fashion.
After posting a competitive 182 for 6 on a sluggish, two-paced surface, Australia bowled Ireland out for 115 in 16.5 overs. Ellis returned superb figures of 4 for 12, while Zampa claimed 4 for 23, the duo dismantling Ireland’s chase with clinical precision.
Ireland’s pursuit of 183 suffered an immediate jolt when captain Paul Stirling walked off after facing just one ball with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and did not return to bat. Ross Adair briefly counterpunched with a four and a six in the opening over and even survived a dropped chance by Matt Renshaw. But the momentum shifted dramatically once Ellis entered the attack.
With his very first delivery, Ellis unleashed a back-of-the-hand slower ball that completely deceived Adair, uprooting his middle stump. Two balls later, Curtis Campher departed, and soon Benjamin Calitz followed as Ireland slumped to 27 for 4. The early blows left the Irish innings in tatters.
Gareth Delany fell to Zampa, whose variations and control made scoring increasingly difficult. Though George Dockrell (41) and Lorcan Tucker (24) offered resistance through a 46-run partnership, Zampa returned to break the stand and remove Mark Adair in the same over. Ellis fittingly wrapped up proceedings with another well-disguised slower ball to dismiss Barry McCarthy.
Earlier, Australia’s innings had been built on collective contributions rather than individual milestones. Head was run out for six, but Josh Inglis and Cameron Green ensured a brisk PowerPlay, striking a boundary in each of the first six overs. Inglis hammered three successive fours off Matthew Humphreys before falling for 37, while Green and Glenn Maxwell also departed in the middle overs as Ireland applied a temporary squeeze.
At 90 for 4 after 10 overs and with only 19 runs coming between overs 13 and 15, Australia risked losing momentum. However, Marcus Stoinis (45) and Renshaw (37) steadied the innings with a vital 61-run partnership off 44 balls, running hard and capitalising on gaps on the expansive Colombo outfield. Late cameos from Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly lifted Australia to what proved an above-par total.
On a surface offering variable pace and grip, Australia’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, turning what began as a leadership reshuffle into a resounding opening statement.
Brief scores: Australia 182/6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 45, Josh Inglis 37; Mark Adair 2-44, Harry Tector 1-24) beat Ireland 115 in 16.5 overs (George Dockrell 41, Lorcan Tucker 24; Nathan Ellis 4-12, Adam Zampa 4-23) by 67 runs.
