Quick Read
- Australia defeated Ireland by 67 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 opening match.
- The match took place on February 11, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
- Travis Head captained Australia due to Mitchell Marsh’s injury.
- Australia scored 182/6; Ireland was bowled out for 115.
- Nathan Ellis was named Player of the Match for his 4/12 bowling figures.
COLOMBO (Azat TV) – Australia began their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, February 11, despite playing without their regular captain, Mitchell Marsh. The dominant performance saw stand-in skipper Travis Head lead his team to a formidable total before their bowlers dismantled the Irish batting lineup, signaling a strong start for the tournament favorites in Group B.
Australia’s Innings Builds Momentum Despite Early Setbacks
Winning the toss, Australia opted to bat first in their opening Group B encounter. The innings, however, started with a significant setback as regular captain Mitchell Marsh was sidelined due to an injury sustained in training, leaving Travis Head to step in as the stand-in captain. Head, who was also celebrating his 50th T20 International appearance, opened the innings alongside Josh Inglis. Despite Head’s early dismissal for six runs, following a dropped catch and then a run-out, Australia managed to build momentum. Cameron Green and Inglis then forged a crucial partnership, stabilizing the innings after the early loss, with Australia reaching 64/2 during the powerplay, according to Hindustan Times.
The middle overs saw further challenges for Australia. After Inglis fell to a brilliant catch by Paul Stirling, and Glenn Maxwell, playing his 500th T20 match, also departed cheaply, the pressure mounted. However, Marcus Stoinis and Matt Renshaw constructed a steadying partnership, controlling the pace and setting the stage for a late surge. Despite losing both Stoinis and Renshaw in quick succession as they attempted to accelerate, Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly provided a powerful late flourish. Their aggressive hitting in the final overs propelled Australia to a competitive total of 182 for 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Irish Chase Crumbles Against Australian Bowling Attack
Ireland’s pursuit of 183 runs began under unfortunate circumstances. Opening batsman and captain Paul Stirling was forced to retire hurt after pulling a muscle on the very first delivery of the chase, an early blow that severely hampered their prospects. This was quickly followed by a rapid succession of wickets, with Harry Tector, Ross Adair, and Curtis Campher all falling within the first few overs. Australia’s fast bowlers, particularly Nathan Ellis, exploited the early advantage, putting immense pressure on the Irish lineup.
Ellis was particularly devastating, picking up crucial early wickets that effectively ended the game as a contest. His spell of 4 wickets for just 12 runs earned him the Player of the Match award, as reported by Hindustan Times. Despite a resilient fight from Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany, and a late effort from George Dockrell, who scored 41 runs off 29 deliveries, Ireland could not recover from the early collapse. The Australian spinners, Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann, maintained the pressure through the middle overs, further stifling Ireland’s scoring opportunities. Ultimately, Ireland’s innings concluded at 115 all out, handing Australia a decisive 67-run victory.
Milestones and Road Ahead for Australia
Beyond the match result, the game marked significant milestones for two Australian players. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell played his 500th career T20 match, a testament to his longevity and impact in the shortest format of the game. Travis Head, taking on captaincy duties for the day, also celebrated his 50th T20 International appearance. The comprehensive win provides Australia with a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign, positioning them favorably in Group B.
Their group stage roadmap sees them return to the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 13 to face Zimbabwe, before moving to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium for matches against Sri Lanka on February 16 and Oman on February 20. The dominant performance against Ireland, even without their regular captain, underscores Australia’s depth and determination to make a strong run in the tournament.
Australia’s ability to secure a convincing victory despite an early captaincy change and some initial batting stutters highlights their deep squad strength and adaptability, setting a formidable tone for their T20 World Cup aspirations.