AUS vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 highlights: Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa shine as Australia thump Ireland by 67 runs

Australia's Nathan Ellis is the Player of the Match for his figures of 4/12 from 3.5 overs. “It was probably more of the unknown (While speaking about conditions). Just wanted to get started. It's been a long run-in for us. We've said a lot leading into this: we haven't seen a lot of the big boys, so the younger boys... The planning and the processes without the big boys," Ellis said.

GAME OVER! Australia have begun their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant 67-run win over Ireland. Ireland are all out for 115 in 16.5 overs. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa collect four wickets each.

Adam Zampa has struck again for Australia. He gets the wicket of George Dockrell, who is stumped by Josh Inglis after he looks to go down the ground. Zampa later picks up his fourth wicket as he removes Mark Adair. Ireland 111/8 after 15.4 overs.

OUT! Another one bites the dust as Adam Zampa sees off Lorgan Tucker. It was a tossed up googly from Zampa, and Tucker aims for the slogsweep. However, he holes out to Cooper Connolly at deep midwicket. Ireland 90/6 after 14 overs.

Ten runs come off Xavier Bartlett's second over, with George Dockrell collecting a boundary. Matthew Kuhnemann bowls the over that follows, but concedes a maximum. It was Dockrell who hit the maximum as he cleared the deep backward square leg boundary.

Nathan Ellis, who has three wickets to his name, bowls his third over, and it's a good over. Just four runs come from the over. Ireland are 70/5 after 11 overs, and at the moment, the target of 183 is too much to ask for.

George Dockrell collects a couple of boundaries off Adam Zampa's second over. That's quite an expensive over from Zampa, with 11 runs coming from it. Ireland, however, still have a mountain to climb. Ireland are 58/5 after nine overs (Target 183).

Adam Zampa comes into the attack for Australia. There's an appeal for LBW against Lorgan Tucker, but he is given not out. Australia opt for the review nevertheless, but the not out decision stays as the impact is outside leg stump. However, Adam Zampa gets a wicket later in the over, as he removes Gareth Delaney. Ireland 43/5 after 6.5 overs.

A dozen runs come from Matthew Kuhnemann's third over, as Gareth Delaney hits a couple of welcome boundaries. He first hit a boundary by slamming over the bowler's head, and a couple of balls later, he once again slammed a six, over the bowler's head. Ireland 40/4 after 6 overs (Target 183).

Ireland are in deep trouble now, following the dismissal of Benjamin Calitz. Calitz looks to play away from the body, but gets a huge inside edge as the ball hits the stumps. Ireland 27/4 after 4.4 overs.

Ireland have begun their run chase on a horrific note, losing three early wickets. Nathan Ellis has removed Ross Adair and Curtis Campher, whereas Matthew Kuhnemann got rid of Harry Tector. Paul Stirling, meanwhile, retired hurt after scoring just one run from the first ball. Ireland 18/3 (3 overs; Target 183)

A productive first over for Ireland in their run chase of 183 against Australia. Ross Adair smashes Xavier Bartlett for a four and a six. Ireland 12/0 after 1 over.

Right. Welcome back. Ireland's run chase is about to start as openers Paul Stirling and Ross Adair walk out to bat. Xavier Bartlett to begin Australia's bowling.

Australia have posted a total of 182/6 from 20 overs on the back of a 29-ball 45 from Marcus Stoinis. Ireland need 183 runs to win. Stay tuned for the run chase!

Australia find themselves in a spot of bother as Mark Adair dismisses Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis would have wanted to see Australia's innings off on a high, but he is caught by Benjamin Calitz at deep mid-wicket. Australia 162/6 after 18.3 overs.

OUT! Ireland have their breakthrough as Matthew Humphreys cleans up Matthew Renshaw. Renshaw went for an aggressive shot, but ended up missing ball's line altogether. Australia 151/5 after 17.2 overs.

An excellent over for Australia, with 13 runs coming off the 16th over. Barry McCartthy was the bowler of this over and he conceded a boundary, with Matt Renshaw slamming over the bowler's head for a four. Australia are 142/4 after 16 overs.

Australia will be looking to fire in these last few overs, and would be targeting a total around at least 180. The partnership between Marcus Stoinis and Matt Renshaw is now 41 runs from 33 balls. Australia are 129/4 after 15 overs, with nine runs coming from the latest over.

Marcus Stoinis (18) and Matt Renshaw (20) will be looking to steady the ship for Australia following the dismissals of Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell. Australia are 116/4 after 13 overs, with six runs coming off Matt Humpreys' over.

Soon after hitting his only boundary, Glenn Maxwell has been dismissed by Harry Tector. Maxwell went for a cut shot but was eventually caught by the wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker. Australia are 97/4 after 10.5 overs.

Glenn Maxwell has joined Matt Renshaw in the middle following the wicket of Josh Inglis. He collected his first boundary of the match in the second ball of the ninth over. It was a short ball on middle and leg from George Dockrell, and Maxwell played the pull towards deep square leg for the boundary. Australia are 86/3 after nine overs.

Australia have lost Josh Inglis after the powerplay. Inglis was facing George Dockrell in the seventh over, and was in two minds whether to go for the shot or not. He ended up chipping it to Psul Stirling at cover. Australia are 74/3 after 7.3 overs.

Travis Head wins the toss for Australia and he opts to bat first. Mitchell March is out of the game with an injury. This is terrible news for Australia. “Marsh copped a blow at training a couple of days ago and no one’s been willing to massage it out for him. So he’s the unfortunate one,” Head said at coin toss.

"We were outplayed by Pakistan. And yeah, we've left it there, and we're ready to move on," said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh.

"We've done some of that work over the last 24 hours leading into this game. Very clear around some of the plans that we've got in place for some of the Australian players. And if we can adapt to the situation and the conditions quickly out there, hopefully the boys can execute their skills well tomorrow," said Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan.

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

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann

Australia are coming into this game on the back of a humiliating 0-3 loss at the hands of Pakistan. The former champions have already lost the services of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlwood due to injuries. To add more to that, captain Mitchell Marsh won't be having the services of Tim David as he is yet to recover. Nathan Ellis will be available.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Australia vs Ireland clash in the T20 World Cup 2026.