Colombo: Shane Watson produced a solid all-round performance as Australia launched their campaign in the ICC World Twenty20 with a seven-wicket thrashing of Ireland here on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 124, the Aussies romped home in only 15.1 overs with the opening duo of Watson (51) and David Warner (26) having set the tone by adding 60 runs in the first seven overs in the opening Group B encounter.
Watson’s 51 came off 30 balls with the help of five fours and three huge sixes. By the time he was run out, with his team’s total on 91, the result had become a mere formality.
Watson had earlier scalped three Ireland wickets for 26 runs – including the wickets of O’Brien brothers Kevin and Niall – from his four overs as Australia restricted their opponents to 123 for seven.
Watson’s 50 came off only 28 balls. He was run-out immediately after that, but not before he had taken his side to the edge of victory.
“I thought he [Watson] started off really well and finished it off with the bat. He is a great cricketer and his fielding has also improved. He is a complete cricketer,” said Australia’s captain George Bailey.
Man-of-the-Match, Watson said he hoped to continue the momentum.
“We knew how important the game was to make a statement. I’d been thinking about how to bowl the first over for about a day and it worked out nicely. It’s been nice to have a couple of wickets and hit the ball well. It’s a nice start.” (PTI)