Australia’s bowlers went for the jugular from the first ball of the match as Ireland staged a mid-innings recovery before stumbling to 7-123 in their opening World Twenty20 Group B clash.

Pace bowlers Shane Watson (3-26) and Mitchell Starc (2-20) did much of the early damage on Wednesday for Australia who would be confident of reaching their target of 124 against the 10th-ranked Irish side.

Kevin O’Brien (35) and brother Niall (20) added 52 for the fifth wicket after Ireland had been 4-33 in hot and steamy conditions at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

Ireland captain Will Porterfield won the toss but failed to give his side the start they needed, falling first ball to Watson after hitting a catch to fine leg.

Starc removed dangerous hitter Paul Stirling caught at third man for seven and offspinner Glenn Maxwell dismissed Ed Joyce caught at cover for 16.

Wrist-spinner Brad Hogg trapped Gary Wilson lbw for five at 4-33.

Watson struck a massive double blow in the 15th over, bowling Niall O’Brien and also dismissing Kevin O’Brien caught behind three deliveries later.

Kevin O’Brien had shown glimpses of the form which yielded a record-breaking century off 50 balls in the 2011 one-day World Cup, hitting five fours on Wednesday in his 29-ball 35.

The in-form Starc bowled ex-NSW seamer Trent Johnston at 7-101 before Alex Cusack and Nigel Jones hit 12 runs from the 20th over, bowled by Watson.

Australia recalled 19-year-old paceman Pat Cummins (0-29) who was rested from Monday’s warm-up game against England, with Clint McKay dropped.