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Defending champions Australia are truly alive in the tournament after a 37-run win to knock Ireland out of T20 World Cup 2022. Lorcan Tucker's unbeaten 71 showed a glimmer of hope for the Irish fans on the Halloween night but in the end it was too tough a task for a single batter at the Gabba. The big win has helped Australia climb to the second spot in Group 2 despite an unimpressive net run rate (NRR).
Aussie mayhem in powerplay overs
Ireland openers started off with positive intent against Australian pacers. However, the good start was converted into a horrible one in just 13 deliveries. Pat Cummins started off with the wicket of Andrew Balbirnie (6). Glenn Maxwell was introduced in the third over and he got rid of dangerous Paul Stirling (11) and Harry Tector (6) in the same over. Mitchell Starc bowled toe-crushing yorkers and got rid of Curtis Campher and George Dockrell for their respective ducks. All of a sudden, Ireland lost half their side in a matter of 13 deliveries. They were reduced to 25/5 in the fourth over in run chase of 180.
Wickets at regular intervals
Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany tried to do some damage control. Tucker did the bulk of scoring in the 43-run partnership. Marcus Stoinis broke the partnership with the wicket of Delany (14). Mark Adair (11) tried to provide the much-needed control but Adam Zampa got his stumped. Fionn Hand's stay at the crease was short-lived as well as Zampa got his second wicket in his last over.
Tucker’s brave fightback
Tucker continued to lead the fightback alone and hit a six off Josh Hazlewood to get to his half-century from 40 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batter took on Starc as well and hit him for three fours in the 18-run over. Brian McCarthy (3) tried to go for the big shot but got caught at the deep. As the required run rate slipped out of hand, Tucker attempted a dangerous single and paid the price of it. Ireland got all out for 137 and lost the game by 42 runs. His partner Joshua Little got run out as Tucker wanted to get on strike. Tucker remained unbeaten for 71 off 48 deliveries. His brave knock was studded with nine fours and one six.
Warner disappoints again
Earlier, Ireland skipper Balbirnie won the toss and opted to field first. David Warner's poor run continued and he got out for another single-digit score. Ireland pacers were on the top of their game in powerplay overs. After six overs, Australia had 38 runs on the board. Marsh broke free after the fielding restrictions and hit Hand for two gigantic sixes. McCarthy got back into the attack and got rid of Marsh. The top-order batter scored 28 runs from 22 deliveries.
Finch-Stoinis go big
Maxwell (13) hit one maximum but lost his wicket to Joshua Little after the halfway stage. Stoinis took his time and then took on Delany in the 14th over. Adair's third over tilted the game in Australia's favour. He bowled several wides and was hit for fours by Stoinis and Finch. The Australian skipper finished his expensive over with a six. He conceded 26 runs from the 15th over. Finch got to his half-century from 38 deliveries.
Challenging total
McCarthy came back into the attack and he delivered with the wicket of Finch. The Irish pacer broke the fourth-wicket partnership. Finch scored 63 runs from 44 deliveries including five fours and three sixes. The two batters shared a 70-run partnership from 36 deliveries. Dockrell finished well with just three runs in the 18th over. Little followed it up with an economical over as well which included the wicket of Stoinis. He scored 35 runs from 25 deliveries including three fours and one six.
In the final over, Adair was once again taken to the crease. Tim David hit him for two boundaries whereas Matthew Wade scored one. Adair conceded 17 runs from the final over as Australian posted 179/5. Adair conceded 59 runs from his quota of four overs, the most expensive for Ireland in T20 World Cup.
