Shane Watson gave a superb allround performance as Australia crushed Ireland by seven wickets in their opening group match in the World Twenty20.
Chasing a target of 124 at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, Australia eased their way to 3-125 with 29 deliveries to spare.
Watson top-scored with 51 off just 30 deliveries with five fours and three sixes after taking 3-26 in Ireland’s total of 7-123.
David Warner and Watson shared an opening stand of 60 in 7.1 overs without appearing to take undue risks, before Warner chipped a catch to deep mid-wicket from the bowling of spinner George Dockrell.
Warner’s innings of 26 lifted the 25-year-old to 1004 career runs in T20 Internationals, joining New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum and England’s Kevin Pietersen in the exclusive club.
Watson was run out with the score on 91 and Mike Hussey (10) fell five balls later.
Any hope of a miraculous upset win for Ireland was lost when ex-NSW paceman Trent Johnston dropped a difficult chance at mid-on with Cameron White on three.
White finished unbeaten on 22 and skipper George Bailey made six not out.
Crucially the threat of spinner Dockrell was taken out of play as the left-armer conceded 31 runs from 3.1 overs.
Pace bowlers Watson and Mitchell Starc (2-20) did much of the early damage as Ireland lost 4-33 before Kevin O’Brien (35) and brother Niall (20) added 52 for the fifth wicket.
Spinners Brad Hogg and Glenn Maxwell claimed one wicket each.
Australia’s other Group B match is on Saturday night (midnight AEST) against West Indies, also at Premadasa Stadium.