Twitter Reactions: Australia's all-round dominance against Ireland keeps defending champions alive in semi-final race

Australia will need to win their next game by a big margin to keep hopes for semi-final.

By Vaishnavi Thiagarajan Iyer

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Australia Team
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Australia Team. (Photo Source: Chris Hyde-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Australia and Ireland locked horns in the 31st match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at The Gabba in Brisbane. Both the teams had won a game and lost one, while their third game was abandoned due to rains, which made this contest a must-win match. Defending champions Australia showcased why they are one of the best in business, and bagged a 42-run victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and elected to field first. Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner looked to provide their side with a big start, but the latter, just like the previous games, failed to surprise and was dismissed for a low score inside the powerplay. Mitchell Marsh joined Finch as the duo put up a good partnership to sail through the powerplay easily.

Marsh scored a couple of fours and as many sixes and the duo shared a 52-run stand for the second wicket before Marsh fell prey to Barry McCarthy. Glenn Maxwell had a short cameo of a 9-ball-13 before Joshua Little claimed his wicket. Skipper Finch kept going and bagged a well-composed half-century, and Marcus Stoinis joined him in the power-hitting and added some big runs on the scoreboard. As a result, Australia managed to put up a target of 180 runs.

Lorcan Tucker's half-century in vain

McCarthy and Little did a good job with the ball, but all other Irish bowlers went wicketless. Ireland batters had a big total to chase, and the Australian bowlers ruined all their plans quickly. Balbirnie and Paul Stirling started off well, but Pat Cummins took the skipper down to provide Australia with the first breakthrough. Stirling and Harry Tector walked back soon after Maxwell picked them up in his first over.

Mitchell Starc struck twice in the fourth over and Ireland’s batting unit came crashing down as they were reduced to 25/5 at the end of the fourth over. It was then the partnership between Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany that helped Ireland pull out of the misery. Tucker was the star of the show as he kept the game going single-handedly, but fell short of partners on the other end.

Australia kept taking wickets at regular intervals, which made it difficult for Lorcan Tucker to gain momentum. Pat Cummins, Maxwell, Starc, and Adam Zampa picked up two wickets, while Stoinis added one under his belt. Tucker remained unbeaten till the end scoring a 48-ball 71, but his knock went in vain as Australia dished Ireland out in the penultimate over to bag a 42-run victory.

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