Summary

  • Australia win the toss and bat first

  • Australia without the injured Mitchell Marsh

  • Australia reach 182-6 from their innings

  • Ireland lose captain Paul Stirling to injury in first ball of reply

  • Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa take four wickets apiece

  • George Dockrell contributes 41 but Ireland attack falls apart

  • T20 World Cup, Group B

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page

  • Have your say using 'Get Involved' button on this page

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Live Reporting

  1. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It's not exactly a bits and pieces Australia team but the bowling does not fill me with the same fear. There's still some very capable players in there, though.

  2. Aus 64-2

    Two wickets down but the Aussies are going at a good lick in Colombo and are on course for a big total as the powerplay comes to an end.

  3. wicket

    WICKET

    Green c Dockrell b M Adair 21 (Aus 56-2)

    Ireland's players celebrateGetty Images

    Cameron Green goes for another big one but he can only pick out George Dockrell and he takes the catch.

  4. 6 runs

    Aus 56-1

    That's huge from Cameron Green and it's deep in the stands.

  5. 6 runs

    Aus 48-1

    Josh Inglis gets just enough of that to just edge it over the boundary.

  6. Aus 40-1

    The Aussies are going at 10 an over and they've responded well from the early loss of Travis Head.

  7. 6 runs

    Aus 38-1

    Cameron GreenGetty Images

    Our first maximum of the day comes courtesy of a big hit from Cameron Green.

  8. Aus 26-1

    Josh Inglis hits boundary number two, three and four as the Aussie opener steps up a gear with Matthew Humphreys the unfortunate bowler.

  9. Aus 12-1

    Josh Inglis finds a boundary off Mark Adair but the dismissal of Travis Head means it's a perfect start for Ireland.

  10. wicket

    WICKET

    Head run out (Calitz) 6 (Aus 7-1)

    Travis HeadGetty Images

    Huge, huge wicket for Ireland as Ben Calitz hits the wickets to run out Aussie skipper and top batter Travis Head.

  11. Aus 7-0

    Three balls in and Travis Head hits the first boundary of the game as Matthew Humphreys concedes seven runs from the opening over.

  12. Ireland expecting 'very competitive' Australia

    Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan says Australia remain a dangerous opponent despite coming into the tournament with concerns over form and fitness.

    Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood have both been ruled out while they have lost their past five T20 internationals including a record defeat in the format by Pakistan to conclude a 3-0 series whitewash.

    "I think whatever Australian team rocks up will be a very competitive team," said Malan.

    "You obviously look at some of the names that are proven performers over the last couple of years.

    "I think you look at our side, we've got some proven performers too, and it sets up to be an exciting challenge and one that we're very much looking forward to."

    Ireland have faced Australia only once in the past decade, also at the T20 World Cup with the hosts winning by 42 runs at the Gabba in 2022.

    Read more here

    Heinrich Malan is wary of Australia's threat in ColomboGetty Images

    Heinrich Malan is wary of Australia's threat in Colombo

  13. Irish slump to Sri Lanka defeat

    Ireland could not overcome a host of errors in the field as they fell 20 runs short of co-hosts Sri Lanka to lose their T20 World Cup opener in Colombo.

    Having failed to win a game at this tournament two years ago and having never beaten Sri Lanka, Ireland got the desired return from their spinners as the co-hosts were restricted to 104-4 after 16 overs.

    George Dockrell was the pick of their bowlers and took the wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka for 24 thanks to a fine catch from skipper Paul Stirling.

    The rest of Ireland's work in the field was not nearly as exemplary, however, with five drops, four of them in the final four overs as Sri Lanka tacked on a further 59 runs, making the chase of 164 all the tougher.

    Despite an apparent hamstring injury, Wanindu Hasaranga accounted for the key wickets of Ross Adair, Harry Tector and Curtis Campher as Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

    Read more here

    Ireland's Ross Adair lies on the ground after missing a catchGetty Images

    Ireland's Ross Adair lies on the ground after missing a catch

  14. TEAMS

    Australia XI: Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head (c), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann.

    Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Mark Adair, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy.

  15. Australia win toss and will bat

    Aussie skipper Travis Head wins the toss and elects to bat first at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

  16. G'day folks!

    Welcome to our coverage of the Group B encounter as Australia begin their World Cup bid while Ireland look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat by Sri Lanka.

    The Aussies will be aiming to repeat their 2021 triumph but injury has ruled out key bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood.

    Ireland have taken many a big scalp over the years and today is a very opportune time to add Australia to the list of top sides they have conquered.

    The action is not far away but first we'll bring you the toss and team news.

    Thanks for joining us.