New Delhi: Australia kicked off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a comprehensive win over Ireland in a Group C match at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The 2021 champions registered a big-margin win of 67 runs despite not being at their best against the European minnows.
Australia posted 182 for 6 in 20 overs after stand-skipper Travis Head opted to bat first following Mitchell Marsh’s withdrawal due to a groin injury. Their innings rode on a combined batting effort which saw Marcus Stoinis scoring a vital 45 and Jish Inglis and Matt Renshaw contributing 37 each.
Renshaw and Stoinis stitched together a key 61-run partnership to help the Aussies cross the 180-run mark.
Despite a topsy-turvy innings filled with indifferent phases, Australia managed to post a challenging total.
Australia ace their tournament opener in style! 🇦🇺💪#AdamZampa spins a web with a clinical 4/23 to seal a comfortable victory! 🕸️🎯
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 11, 2026
Stirling injury blow for Ireland as Australian bowlers feast in Colombo
Chasing another above 180 at R Premadasa Stadium was always going to be a tall order for the Irish side. Losing skipper Paul Stirling to injury made that task even more difficult.
Stirling lasted just one over and limped off the field after aggravating an earlier injury on the field.
Paul Stirling was retired hurt in the first over of Ireland’s chase. (Image: PTI)
Nathan Ellis and Matthew Kuhnemann struck early as Ireland slipped to 27 for 4 inside the powerplay. Lorcan Tucker (24) and George Dockrell (41) showed some fight, but Adam Zampa spun his web around both batters as the British side slumped to 115 all out in 16.5 overs.
While Australia got off to the perfect start with a win in the opener, Ireland will have their task cut out for them after losing two in two. The Paul Stirling-led side suffered a 20-run defeat against co-hosts Sri Lanka in their opening fixture.
Ellis and Zampa both picked up four wickets each, but the former was named Player of the Match for a sensational spell of 3.5-1-12-4.
Brief scores:
Australia: 182 for 6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 45, Matt Renshaw 37, Josh Inglis 37; Mark Adair 2/44).
Ireland: 115 for 9 in 16.5 overs (George Dockrell 41; Nathan Ellis 4/12, Adam Zampa 4/23).