T20 World Cup: Australia power past Ireland in Brisbane despite Tucker’s heroics with the bat

Australia 179-5 (20 ovs) (A Finch 63; B McCarthy 3-29) beat Ireland 137 (18.1 ovs) (L Tucker 71no; G Maxwell 2-14) by 42 runs. Scorecard here.

Three individual overs tilted Ireland’s 42-run defeat to Australia the way of the hosts in Brisbane on Monday, leaving Irish captain Andrew Balbirnie pondering what could have been despite the lopsided scoreline.

It is a result that all but extinguishes Ireland’s hopes of a surprise semi-final berth; wins on Monday at the Gabba and over New Zealand in Adelaide next Friday could have left them firmly in the hunt, albeit both results would have been major upsets.

Australian captain Aaron Finch returned to form with a knock of 63, his efforts bettered only by Ireland’s Lorcan Tucker (71 not out) who ran out of partners while clinging on to hopes of a come-from-behind win.

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As much as Finch found early boundaries off Mark Adair and Josh Little after Ireland asked Australia to bat first at the toss, it was Adair’s 15th over that set Australia up for a big score.

Finch combined with Marcus Stoinis to carve four boundaries – three fours and a six – brutally punishing Adair when he missed his length, both down the ground and over square-leg.

There could have been a fifth, only for Barry McCarthy’s stunning piece of fielding on the boundary rope to save another maximum. To make matters worse, the Australian batters moving in their crease forced Adair to change his line, leading to five wide deliveries as the over took 11 balls to complete, 26 runs the final damage.

“Mark has been one of our best T20 bowlers over the last couple of years,” said Balbirnie, backing his bowler following a difficult outing. “In T20 cricket, those sort of overs can happen but you have to have faith and back your bowlers and you’ll get the benefits in the long run.”

Australia’s ability to find the occasional big over came despite McCarthy (three for 29), Josh Little (two for 21) and George Dockrell (none for 24) all returning outstanding figures. Having three bowlers with such performances and to still allow Australia reach a big total of 179 for five could well have been a source of frustration for the Irish skipper.

“Not really,” countered Balbirnie. “Some guys are gonna have good days, some guys are gonna have bad days, that’s the way T20 works.

“We’ve got to ride the wave, our guys have played enough cricket to know when it’s your day you have to make it count.”

When Ireland came out to bat, early boundaries from Balbirnie and Paul Stirling recalled their efforts against the West Indies earlier in the tournament when the duo combined to put on a match-winning opening partnership.

[ Ireland thump West Indies to reach next stage of T20 World Cup ]

However, once Balbirnie was bowled by Pat Cummins while looking to access his favoured fine-leg region – the second time he has been dismissed in that fashion this tournament – Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc both struck twice in a single over. Within the space of 12 balls, Ireland lost four wickets and the contest was all but ended.

“There were two or three dismissals, including myself, that maybe could have not happened,” explained Balbirnie. “But I don’t like dwelling too much on dismissals because you can’t really do anything.”

Alongside his own wicket, Balbirnie is likely referring to Stirling and Harry Tector, both of whom picked out fielders after being offered short balls by spinner Maxwell – deliveries both players would normally back themselves to punish.

If those wickets were avoidable, the effect of Mitchell Starc an over later certainly wasn’t. After struggling for his trademark swing back into right-handers of late, the Aussie quick found it with devastating effect, castling Curtis Campher and George Dockrell – both without scoring – in the space of five deliveries.

Despite the dire situation, Tucker did show a willingness to counter, hitting Starc for boundaries through mid-wicket, square-leg and with his now trademark ramp shot. He also took a liking to Cummins and Hazlewood, launching the latter down the ground to bring up his 50 off 40 balls.

Josh Little’s run-out in the 19th over ended the game, but an unlikely Irish victory could not have been ruled out while Tucker was still there, such was the quality of his innings.

“That Mitchell Starc over swung the momentum completely in their favour, quick, in-swing at the stumps is not easy,” explained Balbirnie. “Being five down for not a lot, we were staring down the barrel but showed a bit of fight towards the end and managed to stay in the game.

“He’s [Tucker] had a really good World Cup for us, I think these wickets suit him. He’s played with such freedom and clear plans.

“Certainly the way he’s playing, if we maybe got him on strike to face a bit more, who knows?”