Key events
Afghanistan have just hit 17 off their Super Over in Ahmedabad. Pressure on South Africa now!
Teams:
Australia: Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head (c), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys
Australia win the toss and will bat first
Travis Head gets the rub of the coin and Australia will have first used of what the moustachioed marvel says “looks like a good surface.” A slightly rueful looking Paul Stirling admits he would have done the same. Teams incoming!
Meanwhile, Afghanistan have just taken South Africa to a Super Over in Ahmedabad with both sides posting 187. Drama!
Breaking news: Australia captain Mitch Marsh ruled out
The news has just landed that Aussie captain Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of this opening match against Ireland having suffered a blow to the groin during training earlier this week. Apologies if you are just dipping into your morning muesli or evening meal but Marsh is suffering with “testicular bleeding.” Poor chap.
“He [Marsh] is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement,” say Cricket Australia in their statement. “Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice. Standby player Steve Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to acclimatise and prepare, should he be required.”
So Steve Smith is called up to join the squad, we’ll have more news at the toss shortly. Australia only have 12 fit players to pick their starting XI from! Travis Head will captain today’s match in Marsh’s absence. Steve Smith is likely hot footing it to an airport with a smile on his face (whilst showing requisite concern for Marsh’s injured gonads of course…)
Preamble
James Wallace
All good things come to those who wait? Australia finally get their T20 World Cup campaign underway in Colombo today. The Aussies are the last side to make their tournament bow and will come up against an Ireland side they don’t really have much experience of playing – the two sides have only met twice in T20Is and just once in all international cricket since 2016.
Ireland will be looking to put on a strong showing after a rather disappointing first match against Sri Lanka where they squandered plenty of opportunities to get something out of the game – dropping a host of chances and letting the match slip with bat and ball when they had the chance toput the hosts under real pressure.
Australia will be glad of the delayed start to their tournament as their squad has at times resembled a field hospital with green and gold curtains. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are completely absent, Tim David is expected to miss at least this first game as he recovers from a hamstring injury whilst Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis have struggled with niggles recently too.
We’ll find out the teams and the result of the toss at 8pm AEDT/9am GMT with the match starting half an hour after that. Welcome along and please do get in touch if you are tuning in.
