The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo turned into a sea of green and gold on Wednesday, as Australia delivered a masterclass in T20 cricket. In the 14th match of Group B at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Australia dismantled a resilient but outmatched Ireland side, securing a massive 67-run victory. While the Irish fans arrived with hopes of a historic upset, they were met with a clinical Australian outfit that excelled in every department, effectively signalling their intent for the knockout stages.
Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis anchor Australia to a powerful total against Ireland
Choosing to bat first, Australia’s innings began with a shock as captain Travis Head was run out for just 7 by a sharp piece of fielding from Ben Calitz. However, the early wicket failed to dampen the Australian aggression. Josh Inglis took charge immediately, playing a whirlwind knock of 37 off just 17 balls, ensuring the Powerplay remained productive. Despite the loss of Cameron Green (21) and Glenn Maxwell (9), Australia’s depth proved to be the difference-maker.
The backbone of the innings was formed by a steady Matt Renshaw, who grinded out 37 runs, and the explosive Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis was the primary aggressor in the latter half of the innings, smashing 45 off 29 deliveries, including four boundaries and two towering sixes. His ability to find the gaps during the middle overs allowed Australia to reach 150 by the 18th over. Late cameos from Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett pushed the total to a formidable 182/6. Ireland’s Mark Adair was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/44, but the Irish attack struggled to contain the sheer variety of the Australian stroke play.
Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa’s bowling masterclass silences Ireland
Ireland’s chase of 183 got off to a disastrous start. Captain Paul Stirling was forced to retire hurt just one ball into the innings, leaving the middle order exposed. Nathan Ellis, thriving in the humid Colombo conditions, produced a spell for the ages. He struck early and often, removing Ross Adair and Curtis Campher in quick succession. Ellis’s ability to extract pace and bounce from the surface left the Irish top order reeling at 27/4 within the first five overs.
As the match progressed, Adam Zampa turned the screws. The premier leg-spinner was virtually unplayable, bamboozling the Irish batsmen with his subtle variations. Zampa tore through the middle and lower order, finishing with incredible figures of 4/23. He claimed the crucial wicket of Lorcan Tucker (24), who was the only Irish batsman to offer significant resistance. George Dockrell attempted a late charge with a spirited 41, but it was too little, too late.
Ellis returned to polish off the tail, finishing with a stellar 4/24. Ireland was eventually bundled out for 115 in 16.5 overs, falling 67 runs short. The victory not only cements Australia’s dominance in Group B but also provides a massive boost to their Net Run Rate, making them the team to beat as the tournament progresses.
Here’s how fans reacted:
𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 🦁🌟: Nathan Ellis Awarded MOTM For his excellent spell against Ireland. He picked 4 wickets for just 12 runs with an economic rate of 3.1. #CSK #IPL2026 #IPL #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/dVVb8xi1DK
— Super Kings Centre (@superkingcentre) February 11, 2026
Nathan Ellis is a bowler tailormade for T20 format. He is simply one of the best short format bowler in the world right now.
He is accurate, he is precise, he has all the variations in the world, he can bowl in powerplay, he can at the death, he is just too good in this format.… pic.twitter.com/6HaGRTBQ52
— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) February 11, 2026
Dream debut for Nathan Ellis
4 wicket Haul without giving boundery
4-12-3.5 including ( 1 median over )
Won Player of the match 🔥🧨#AUSvsIREpic.twitter.com/dAlXR5Aa46— 𝑵𝑲𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 (@Nkumaaaran) February 11, 2026
– 4/12 (3.5 Overs).
– Won POTM Award.WHAT A BOWLING PERFORMANCE BY NATHAN ELLIS Vs IRELAND IN THIS T20 WORLD CUP. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/04aBv6VgjB
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 11, 2026
Talk about a one-two punch 🌟🔥
Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa combining for 8/35 as Australia bowls Ireland out for 115 🇦🇺#cricket #ICC #T20WorldCup #NathanEllis #AdamZampa #AUSvIRE pic.twitter.com/vfmQoy3Zxe
— Prime Video Sport AUNZ (@pvsportaunz) February 11, 2026
Australia begin their #T20WorldCup campaign with a dominant victory over Ireland 🔥
📝: https://t.co/XyF5850xB5 pic.twitter.com/UBPbPz1HRH
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 11, 2026
Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis#cricket #T20WorldCup2026 #AUSvIRE pic.twitter.com/TTKoKIRtBX
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 11, 2026
Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis has broken the hopes of another full member team – Ireland..
Finally we got the first game of Australia, and as usual – a one sided match..#T20WorldCup2026 #AUSvsIRE 🇦🇺🇮🇪#AUSvIRE 🇦🇺🇮🇪— Asad (اسد) 🇵🇰 (@Asad_1108) February 11, 2026
AUSTRALIA CRUISE PAST IRELAND BY 67 RUNS 🇦🇺🔥
– Nathan Ellis 4/12 in 3.5 overs, including a maiden & Adam Zampa 4/23 in 4 overs shines for Australia!
Dominant bowling performance seals the win! 🏏#T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/VclKTWwly8
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) February 11, 2026
🔥 AUSTRALIA WIN BIG IN COLOMBO 🔥
Australia defeat Ireland by 67 runs in the T20 World Cup at Colombo.
Batting heroes 💥
• Josh Inglis
• Matthew Renshaw
• Marcus StoinisBowling finish 🎯
• Nathan Ellis
• Adam ZampaClinical performance from the Aussies #AUSvIRE… pic.twitter.com/e3U8jCcixS
— All about Cricket (@CricHitmanThala) February 11, 2026
Also WATCH: Spinner Matthew Humphreys’ 110 kmph thunderbolt destroys Matt Renshaw’s middle stump | T20 World Cup 2026
