Ireland stun Australia in T20 World Cup warm-up clash

Ireland beat the defending champions by three wickets in the final over

Ireland defeated Australia by three wickets in their final T20 World Cup warm-up game to give themselves a huge confidence boost heading into the tournament.

The result marks the first time Ireland have ever beaten Australia, the current T20 world champions. Since lifting the World Cup in 2020, five-time champions Australia have only lost two T20Is, both against New Zealand.

Australia won the toss and set Ireland a target of 169 thanks to big knocks from Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry.

Beth Mooney, Grace Harris and captain Meg Lanning, however, were kept quiet by Ireland, with Orla Prendergast the pick of her side's bowlers. She removed Mooney for a duck on her way to figures of 2 for 19.

In reply, captain Laura Delany top-scored for her team with 32 runs from 28 balls while Leah Paul hit the winning runs in the final over as Ireland secured the win with two balls to spare.

^{Orla Prendergast scored 26 runs off 15 balls and took two wickets (ICC)}

^{Alyssa Healy top-scored for Australia (ICC)}

Amy Hunter, who scored 26 at the top of the order for Ireland, said: "It's pretty hard to sum up because it's just happened and then beating the world champions is obviously an amazing feat and I think it's one that's going to go down very well with the squad.

"Me and Gabs (fellow opener, Gaby Lewis) always look to go hard in the powerplay with two fielders out. I know it's definitely in my game plan. I think that we just went down the batting order once me and Gabs got out as well. We always look to bat positively, and I think we definitely did that.

"This will give the squad a huge amount of confidence leading into the tournament. But it is a warm-up game, so you need to carry that form into the tournament."

Healy, who led Australia's scoring with 62 runs from 40 balls before retiring, was unconcerned with the result and its impact on their tournament, telling Cricket Australia's website: "If you remember back in New Zealand (at last year's World Cup), we got absolutely pummeled by the Kiwis in a warm-up game, so nothing too stressful about that,

"We had some different options, trying some different things throughout the innings and once we get our full strength XI on the park in their specific roles, I've got no doubt we'll nail that."

Australia starts the defence of their title on February 11 against New Zealand while Ireland will begin their campaign against England on February 13.

H.A.P.P.Y. 😀 pic.twitter.com/zd1I7N3bza

— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) February 8, 2023