Watson demolishes Ireland
With Shane Watson’s sterling performance Australia romped through easily by seven wickets to register win against Ireland in their first match in the ICC T20 World Cup at R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday.
Ireland scored 123 runs after winning the toss for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated twenty overs. In reply Australia reached home by scoring 125 runs in 15.1 overs losing three wickets only.
Shane Watson first took three wickets for 26 runs in his four overs and then contributed with a blistering half century.
Watson struck with the very first ball of the match as Ireland skipper William Portefield was caught by Mitchell Starc on a duck.
Watson and Starc were involved in the second wicket only the role was reversed as Paul Stirling was caught by Watson off the bowling of Starc when only 15 runs were on the board. Stirling fell for seven. Only ten runs later Ireland lost their third wicket when Ed Joyce was caught by David Warner off the bowling Glenn Maxwell. Joyce made only 16.
Gary Wilson too departed after only eight runs. He was consumed by Brad Hogg. Thne the O’Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin put a respectable stand for the fifth wicket. They were separated after 52 runs were added to the total.
Kevin O’Brien was expected to repeat his performance that was a big shocker what he had shown against England in the 2011 World Cup but that did not happen.
Niall was first to go as Watson struck again. Niall was cleaned up on his personal score of 20.
Kevin was next to go as he too was consumed by Watson. Kevin scored 35 in 29 balls with five fours.
Australia started their reply with quite ease scoring 60 runs for the first wicket in 7.1 overs. Warner was fist to go scoring 26 runs in 23 balls. Watson was the second wicket to fall as he was run out by Johnston. Watson made 51 runs in 30 balls with three sixes and five fours. Till then the score has reached in the 90s.
Mike Hussey was consumed when his score was only 10 but then it was too late for the Irish players.
Watson was obvious man of the match. He was candid to accept that he had been thinking about how to bowl the first over for about a day and it worked out nicely. He was also happy to hit the ball well
Australian skipper George Bailey thought that they started really well and finished if off with the bat. He knows that this is the only trophy missing from Australia’s kitty and the start they have got against Ireland would give them a lot of confidence to proceed.
Ireland skipper William Portefield accepted that they didn’t have a great start and though they tried to get a platform but it didn’t happen. Ireland have a couple of players to stage an upset but Watson very first ball dislodged them.
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