Colombo, February 11 Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis forged a crucial 61-run partnership as Australia posted a competitive 182/6 against Ireland in their T20 World Cup match here on Wednesday.
While Josh Inglis (37) and Cameron Green (21) provided early momentum, Renshaw (37) and Stoinis (45) added vital runs in the middle overs after Australia chose to bat on a slow pitch.
Irish spinners delivered a disciplined bowling performance but were hampered by a few dropped catches.
After dropping Travis Head in the first over, Ireland struck in the second, run-outting the stand-in Australian captain in the second over.
However, Inglis and Green immediately launched a counter-attack. Inglis started with a boundary through cover, followed it with another, and then edged one away for a third four in the third over.
Green joined the attack, using his long reach to muscle Barry McCarthy down the ground for a boundary before launching him for a towering six with the Colombo breeze aiding the stroke.
The all-rounder continued the onslaught with another massive six before mistiming the ball to midwicket for a regulation catch.
Green continued the attack with another massive six but eventually mistimed a shot to midwicket, where he was safely caught.
Irish captain Paul Stirling then stifled Australia's momentum with a sensational catch to dismiss Inglis. The batter sliced the ball, and Stirling dived at full stretch to complete a superb catch.
Harry Tector then dismissed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell, bringing Stoinis to the crease alongside Renshaw.
The pair steadied the innings, keeping the scoreboard moving by rotating the strike effectively as Ireland maintained control through the middle overs.
Just as Australia looked to accelerate, Matthew Humphreys produced a ripper to shatter Renshaw's stumps. Stoinis departed in the following over after smashing a six over deep mid-wicket.
Ireland conceded 53 runs in the last five overs.
