Australia leads the table in Group B by winning vs. West Indies and Ireland as the Windies were unable to exploit their skills in the rain affected games.
Below, we will describe the summary of the three encounters played between the three countries.
Australia vs. Ireland
The inaugural pool match of Group B in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 was played on September 19, 2012, at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Scores
Ireland – 7-123 (Kevin O’Brien 35 (29b 5×4), Niall O’Brien 20 (24b 2×4), Ed Joyce 16 (18b 3×4), Shane Watson 3-26, Mitchell Starc 2-20.
Australia – 3-125 in 15.1 overs, Shane Watson 51 (30b 5×4 3×6), David Warner 26 (23b 4×4), Cameron White 22* (19b 3×4), Kevin O’Brien 1-18, George Dockrell 1-31.
Player of the match – Shane Watson (Australia)
Result – Australia won by 7 wickets.
Australia vs. West Indies
The match took place on September 22, 2012 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Scores
West Indies – 8-191 in 20 overs, Chris Gayle 54 (33b 5×4 4×6), Marlon Samuels 50 (32b 3×4 4×6), Dwayne Bravo 27 (21b 1×4 1×6), Mitchell Starc 3-35, Shane Watson 2-29, Daniel Christian 1-29.
Australia – The Kangaroos opened the innings in a fascinating manner with the aggressive openers, David Warner and Shane Watson. The duo contributed 30 runs for the first wicket in 2.1 overs when the hard hitting Warner was gone for 28 from just 14 balls comprising two sixes and 3 fours. David Hussey came in next, joined with Shane Watson and the score was enhanced to 69 in the first seven overs. Watson smelled the approaching rain and butchered Marlon Samuels for 21 runs in the following over with the assistance of a couple of towering sixes and 2 fours.
The match stopped due to rain after the first ball of the 10th ball was bowled by Ravi Rampaul. Further play became impossible and the target was revised as 84 runs in 9.1 overs. Shane Watson dispatched unbeaten 41 runs (24b 2×4 3×6) and Michael Hussey was at the crease for 28 (19b 3×4 1×6), Fidel Edwards took the only wicket which fell for 16 runs.
Player of the match – Shane Watson (Australia)
Result – Australia won by 17 runs (Duckworth / Lewis method).
West Indies vs. Ireland
The match was played on September 24, 2012, at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The start of the encounter was delayed because of the rain and later, was restricted to 19 overs per side.
Scores
Ireland – 6-129 in 19 overs, Niall O’Brien 25 (21b 1×6), Gary Wilson 21 (22b 3×4), Paul Stirling 19 (16b 3×4), Chris Gayle 2-21, Ravi Rampaul 1-20.
Result – Severe rain disturbed the match once again, the play could not be resumed and the match concluded without any result. Both teams were awarded one point each from the game but once again the weather impeded a true fight between the two squads.
Points table
Australia – 4 points from 2 games at a net run rate of +2.184
West Indies – 1 point from 2 games at a net run rate of -1.855
Ireland – 1 point from 2 games at a net run rate of -2.092
Australia and West Indies made their way to the Super Eight stage and Ireland was knocked out of the tournament due to poor run rate.
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