Slam bang and over in 197 min

Ireland are yet to win a single Super 8s match and are last in the standings with no points. They got to that stage, however, by upsetting Pakistan in the group round.

Ireland were bowled out for only 91 runs in 30 overs and Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey put on 62 for the first wicket. Gilchrist was bowled for 34 by Ireland captain Trent Johnston, who danced a jig of delight at getting the prized wicket.

Andrew Symonds and Hussey knocked off the rest of the runs in the face of an Ireland bowling attack that performed poorly even by their own standards. Australia reached the paltry target in only 12.2 overs when Hussey pulled the final ball for six to finish 30 not out.

Australia won the toss at the Kensington Oval and put Ireland in to bat. Pace bowler Shaun Tait grabbed two wickets in two balls but had a decidedly mixed day, giving away 11 wides. Veteran Glenn McGrath was the pick of the bowlers, plugging away with his nagging off stump line and taking three for 17 from seven overs.

Number nine batsman John Mooney, drafted in to replace Peter Gillespie, showed real fight to finish as Ireland’s top scorer before he was last man out on 23, run out trying to keep the strike in the 30th over.

The Australian batting response was swift and merciless. Gilchrist hit four fours, including three in three balls off Langford-Smith, as he and Hussey enjoyed the wayward bowling. Gilchrist scored 34 when he was bowled by Johnston and Symonds and Hussey finished off the match.

–SIMON HAYDON