T20 World Cup 2022: Updated Points table after AUS vs IRE game

Australia decimated Ireland by 42 runs in their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 encounter at The Gabba on Monday, October 31. By the virtue of this, the Aussies have now registered their second win of the tournament to strengthen their semi-final hopes in the highly competitive Group 1. 

The Ireland team were coming into this clash high on confidence after a stunning win over England last week, but this bitter defeat has now put them in a spot of bother with just one game left for the Andrew Balbirnie-led side against an in-form New Zealand on November 4 at the Adelaide Oval. Ireland were forced to share the spoils against Afghanistan as their clash had to be abandoned due to rain.

Skipper Aaron Finch roars back to form with a crucial half-century

Batting first, Australia lost the big wicket of David Warner early, but skipper Aaron Finch steadied the ship and kept the scoreboard ticking for the reigning world champions. He took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners at regular intervals and went on to register a vital half-century. 

Finch scored 63 runs off 44 deliveries. Important contributions from the middle-order duo of Mitchell Marsh (28) and Marcus Stoinis (35) helped the Aussies post a competitive total of 179/5. Barry McCarthy (3/29), and, Joshua Little (2/21) were the picks of the bowlers for Ireland.

In reply, the Irish openers started on a cautious note. However, once the hard-hitting duo of Paul Stirling and captain Andrew Balbirnie were dismissed in quick succession, Ireland seemed to lose their plot in this stiff run chase and at 25/5 after four overs, it appeared as if a humiliating defeat was inevitable for the Irish side. 

Even though Ireland kept losing wickets at the other end, wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker single-handedly counter-attacked from the other end and left the Australian bowlers shell-shocked. Nonetheless, with no support from the other end, Tucker had to save his wicket and reduce the deficit for Ireland with his batting onslaught. His efforts went in vain as Tucker remained unbeaten on 71 runs from 48 deliveries at an outstanding strike rate of 147.9.  For Australia, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, and, Adam Zampa chipped in with two wickets each. 

Here's how the Group 1 Points Table stands after AUS vs IRE clash: