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Australia’s match against Ireland will be Australia’s last chance to finalize the final combination of players for the Super 8s at the 2026 T20 World Cup in the absence of key players. This is the first time the Australian team is missing a key player.
For the first time since the 2009 Champions Trophy, Australia will enter the ICC tournament without any players including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith or David Warner as part of their starting XI. In terms of experience, they rely heavily on captain Marsh and all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.
The following article takes a closer look at the possible line-ups for the match between Australia and Ireland.
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Australia vs Ireland, Match 14 – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Australia vs Ireland – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head
Australian openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will continue to form the Australian starting pairing. Mitchell Marsh is the most experienced batsman in the lineup and a lot will depend on his performance in the batting order. On the other hand, left-hander Travis Head is crucial to their performance in the ICC T20 World Cup in the subcontinent. Head has a strike rate of over 170 while batting in the sub-continent’s powerplay format.
Mid-order: Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell
Cameron Green is an all-rounder who was the only player in the last series against Pakistan who showed some form and could take on the spinners. Josh Inglis is another important name and the only gloveman in the team. Tim David’s return could boost their chances of qualifying for the T20 World Cup, although his return is still being closely watched.
Marcus Stoinis is Australia’s heavy hitter in this death-match clash, while legend Glenn Maxwell will return as their main match-winner in this tournament. Cooper Connolly, the youngster, is likely to perform well with ball and bat in his maiden ICC tournament.
Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa/Matthew Kuehneman
In the absence of Hazlewood and Cummins, Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis will be Australia’s only hope of keeping them in the competition. Veteran spinner Adam Zampa has been cast in the role of the main con man. However, if his return is delayed, slow left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann could take his place.
Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa/Matthew Kuehneman.
Ireland vs Australia – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Opener: Paul Sterling and Ross Adair
Veteran Ireland opener Paul Stirling will lead the Ireland batting innings as India captain. Sterling will be their main batsman in the front line and will find newcomer Ross Adair playing alongside him. The two look to make the most of the defensive limitations on the power play.
Mid-level: Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Turktow, Curtis Campfer, Ben Kalitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany
Right-hand batsman Lorcan Tucker can be singled out as one of the best players in Ireland’s middle-order at the moment. Tucker is crucial to their middle-order game, while Harry Tech and Curtis Kanfer are also important players supporting the frontline batsmen.
Dockrell and Delani are the two spinners who play an important role in the white-ball side. Australia’s weaknesses, especially, were exposed against spin and they were crucial to the match.
Bowlers: Mark Adair, Josh Little and Matthew Humphries
Ireland pacers Mark Adair and Josh Little and spinner Matthew Humphreys are the team’s frontline players. While Little is a newcomer, Mark Adair is the more experienced cricketer. Humphries is very effective with his economical, slow left-arm spin.
Ireland lineup: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Turktow, Curtis Campfer, Ben Kalitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little and Matthew Humphreys.
