Australia Demolish Ireland by 67 Runs as Nathan Ellis Produces Magical Spell at T20 World Cup 2026
Australia won by 67 runs against Ireland in a completely one-sided Group B encounter at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. Nathan Ellis delivered a career-defining performance with figures of 4/12 as Ireland collapsed to 115 all out while chasing 183. The T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed Australia’s bowling dominance as they bounced back from Mitchell Marsh’s injury setback. This comprehensive victory at the T20 World Cup 2026 puts Australia firmly in control of Group B qualification.
Match Summary at a Glance
| Match Details | Australia | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 182/6 (20 overs) | 115 all out (16.5 overs) |
| Run Rate | 9.10 | 6.83 |
| Top Scorer | Marcus Stoinis (45 off 29) | George Dockrell (41 off 29) |
| Best Bowler | Nathan Ellis (4/12) | Mark Adair (2/44) |
| Player of Match | Nathan Ellis | – |
| Result | Australia won by 67 runs | – |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | February 11, 2026 |
Australia’s bowling attack ripped through Ireland’s batting lineup after posting a competitive 182, proving their strength despite playing without injured captain Mitchell Marsh.
Australia’s Innings: Stoinis Anchors to 182/6
Australia Batting Performance:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Inglis | 37 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 217.64 |
| Matt Renshaw | 37 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 112.12 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 45* | 29 | 2 | 1 | 155.17 |
| Cameron Green | 21 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 190.90 |
| Cooper Connolly | 11* | 8 | 0 | 1 | 137.50 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 11* | 6 | 2 | 0 | 183.33 |
Key Innings Moments:
- Travis Head dismissed for just 6 in the second over
- Josh Inglis exploded with 37 off 17 balls at strike rate 217.64
- Cameron Green’s quickfire 21 off 11 balls (2 sixes)
- Stoinis-Renshaw partnership of 61 runs stabilized middle overs
- Late fireworks from Bartlett (11 off 6) pushed total past 180
Marcus Stoinis played the perfect anchor role, remaining unbeaten on 45 off 29 balls. His calculated aggression through middle and death overs gave Australia a defendable total on Colombo’s decent batting surface.
The tournament schedule showed this as a crucial Group B encounter, and Australia’s total of 182 looked competitive enough to test Ireland’s batting depth.
Ireland’s Bowling: Adair Tries But Total Proves Too Much
Ireland Bowling Analysis:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Adair | 4 | 44 | 2 | 11.00 |
| Matthew Humphreys | 4 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 |
| George Dockrell | 4 | 31 | 1 | 7.75 |
| Harry Tector | 3 | 24 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Barry McCarthy | 3 | 37 | 0 | 12.33 |
Mark Adair picked up two wickets but went for 44 runs in his four overs. Ireland’s bowlers lacked penetration and discipline, allowing Australia to score freely despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
The powerplay yielded 64/2, giving Australia the platform. Ireland couldn’t create enough pressure in middle overs as Stoinis and Renshaw rebuilt the innings methodically.
Ireland’s Collapse: Ellis Destroys with 4/12
Ireland’s chase never got started. Captain Paul Stirling retired hurt after facing just one ball, setting a disastrous tone for what followed.
Ireland Batting Scorecard:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Dismissal | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Adair | 12 | 9 | b Ellis | 133.33 |
| Harry Tector | 0 | 3 | c Green b Kuhnemann | 0.00 |
| Lorcan Tucker | 24 | 27 | c Connolly b Zampa | 88.88 |
| George Dockrell | 41 | 29 | st Inglis b Zampa | 141.37 |
| Curtis Campher | 4 | 2 | c Green b Ellis | 200.00 |
| Gareth Delany | 11 | 12 | c Inglis b Zampa | 91.66 |
| Mark Adair | 12 | 6 | c Connolly b Zampa | 200.00 |
Fall of Wickets Timeline:
- 1/0 – Paul Stirling retired hurt (0.1 overs)
- 13/1 – Harry Tector out (1.6 overs)
- 13/2 – Ross Adair dismissed (2.1 overs)
- 17/3 – Curtis Campher gone (2.3 overs)
- 27/4 – Ben Calitz out (4.1 overs)
- 43/5 – Gareth Delany dismissed (6.5 overs)
Ireland lost 4 wickets inside the powerplay, scoring just 40 runs. The chase was effectively over before it began, with Ireland limping to 115 all out in 16.5 overs.
Only George Dockrell (41 off 29) showed resistance, but his lone fight couldn’t prevent a humiliating defeat. Check the Group B standings to see how this result impacts qualification scenarios.
Nathan Ellis: Player of the Match Performance
Nathan Ellis produced one of the tournament’s best bowling performances, claiming 4/12 from 3.5 overs with an economy rate of just 3.13.
Ellis’ Bowling Figures:
- Overs: 3.5
- Maidens: 1
- Runs: 12
- Wickets: 4
- Economy: 3.13
- Dot balls: 15 out of 23 balls
Ellis’ Victims:
- Ross Adair (12) – Bowled
- Curtis Campher (4) – Caught Green
- Ben Calitz (2) – Bowled
- Barry McCarthy (2) – Caught Green
Ellis bowled with exceptional control, mixing pace variations and hitting perfect lengths. His ability to swing the new ball and then adjust for death overs proved devastating for Ireland’s batting lineup.
The right-arm quick became Australia’s go-to bowler in Marsh’s absence, delivering when his team needed him most. His 64.13 MVP points reflected complete dominance.
Adam Zampa Complements Ellis with 4/23
While Ellis stole headlines, leg-spinner Adam Zampa was equally destructive with 4/23 from his four overs.
Zampa’s Wickets:
- Lorcan Tucker (24) – Caught Connolly
- Gareth Delany (11) – Caught Inglis
- George Dockrell (41) – Stumped Inglis
- Mark Adair (12) – Caught Connolly
Zampa’s variations and control strangled Ireland’s middle and lower order. His partnership with Ellis (8 wickets combined for just 35 runs) demolished any Irish resistance.
The spin-pace combination proved too much for Ireland on a surface offering some grip to spinners. Australia’s balanced attack showed why they’re tournament favorites despite missing their captain.
Follow live updates for all remaining Group B matches as the qualification race intensifies.
What This Result Means for Group B
Updated Group B Implications:
- Australia strengthens qualification chances dramatically
- Ireland faces must-win situation in remaining matches
- Net run rate boost (+3.35 swing) helps Australia significantly
- Other Group B teams now under pressure
Australia’s dominant victory sends a message to rivals—they remain dangerous despite Marsh’s absence. Travis Head’s captaincy debut wasn’t perfect personally (dismissed for 6), but his team delivered comprehensively.
Ireland needs to regroup quickly. Losing by 67 runs damages both confidence and net run rate, making subsequent fixtures critical for survival hopes.
Key Tactical Takeaways
What Australia Did Right:
- Balanced batting approach after early setback
- Stoinis provided stability without sacrificing run rate
- Ellis-Zampa combination exploited conditions perfectly
- Death bowling execution was clinical
Where Ireland Failed:
- Stirling’s injury disrupted batting order
- Top order collapsed under pressure
- No substantial partnerships developed
- Bowling lacked discipline in powerplay and death
Australia proved their depth. Losing a captain of Marsh’s caliber would derail most teams, but the Aussies adjusted seamlessly with Head leading and Ellis stepping up with the ball.
Check the points table for complete Group B standings after today’s results.
Player Ratings & Performance Analysis
Star Performers:
- Nathan Ellis (10/10) – Match-winning spell, career-best figures
- Marcus Stoinis (8.5/10) – Crucial unbeaten 45, anchored innings
- Adam Zampa (9/10) – Four wickets, choked Ireland’s recovery
- Josh Inglis (8/10) – Explosive 37 off 17 set strong platform
Disappointing Performances:
- Travis Head (4/10) – Captain dismissed cheaply
- Harry Tector (2/10) – Golden duck hurt Ireland badly
- Ireland top order (3/10) – Collective failure
Statistical Highlights
Match Records:
- Biggest winning margin for Australia vs Ireland in T20 World Cups
- Nathan Ellis’ career-best T20I figures
- Ireland’s lowest total chasing 180+ in T20 World Cups
- Australia’s 8th consecutive T20I victory
Milestones:
- Adam Zampa reached 100 T20I wickets during this match
- Marcus Stoinis crossed 1,500 T20I runs in his career
What’s Next for Both Teams
Australia’s Upcoming Fixtures: Australia faces tougher opponents in subsequent Group B matches. Their next challenge tests their depth further as they aim to secure knockout qualification early.
Ireland’s Must-Win Situation: Ireland needs victories in all remaining group games. Today’s loss makes their path significantly harder, with net run rate now a major concern.
Stay updated with tournament news for squad announcements and injury updates as both teams prepare for crucial upcoming encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score in Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup match? Australia scored 182/6 in 20 overs and bowled Ireland out for 115 in 16.5 overs, winning by 67 runs at Colombo on February 11, 2026.
Who was player of the match in Australia vs Ireland? Nathan Ellis won player of the match for his exceptional bowling figures of 4/12 from 3.5 overs, destroying Ireland’s batting lineup.
Who was Australia’s top scorer today? Marcus Stoinis top-scored for Australia with an unbeaten 45 runs off 29 balls, anchoring the innings with a strike rate of 155.17.
How many wickets did Nathan Ellis take? Nathan Ellis took 4 wickets for just 12 runs in 3.5 overs, bowling with an economy rate of 3.13 and delivering 15 dot balls.
What happened to Paul Stirling in the match? Ireland captain Paul Stirling retired hurt after facing just one ball, disrupting Ireland’s chase before it could even begin.
Did Adam Zampa reach any milestone today? Yes, Adam Zampa crossed 100 T20I wickets during this match while taking 4/23, complementing Nathan Ellis’ destructive spell perfectly.
Australia won by 67 runs in emphatic fashion, showcasing their championship credentials at the T20 World Cup 2026. Nathan Ellis’ magical spell and Marcus Stoinis’ composed batting highlight Australia’s depth and quality. Despite missing Mitchell Marsh, the defending champions look dangerous and determined to defend their crown. Follow all participating teams’ progress as the tournament’s group stage reaches its critical phase.
