Australia captain George Bailey says if his side bring their “A” game then Ireland will pose no threat in Wednesday’s opening World Twenty20 Group B clash at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.
Australia were runners-up in the previous tournament in 2010 in the West Indies but have shown patchy form and have a world ranking of No.9, only one place above the semi-professional Irish.
After a 56-run win in Saturday’s warm-up game against New Zealand, Bailey’s men received a reality check with their nine-run loss to defending champions England on Monday after bowling first and conceding a tally of 6-172.
“Australia are our biggest threat,” Bailey said on Tuesday.
“If we rock up ready to play and play as well as we can, then I don’t think there’s a threat.”
Star allrounder Shane Watson says Australia will need to bat without fear against Ireland who boast a handy pace attack and some dangerous spinners led by ICC Associate player of the year George Dockrell.
“Not too many guys have been talking about it but deep inside everyone knows they are a very dangerous team,” Watson says.
“Certainly we have to be at our best to make sure we dominate the game.”