Ireland braced for tough encounter with ‘wounded’ Aussies

When Ireland last played Australia in a one-day international in Belfast, it took just three deliveries for Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee to underline the vast chasm in quality between the sides.

Bowling at over 90mph, Lee took two wickets in the first three balls of the match before the rains came to spare Ireland a humiliating defeat.

Just five of the Australia team that featured at Stormont in 2012 remain for today’s Hanley Energy one-day international between the sides, but Darren Lehmann’s squad has arguably improved in the last three years.