Battling Ireland come up short in rain-ruined clash with Aussies

Ireland suffered a 23-run defeat to world champions Australia in a rain-affected one-day international at Belfast.

John Bracewell’s side were well in the game chasing a revised target of 181 from 24 overs following a third break for rain, as Ed Joyce (44 from 33 balls) and Niall O’Brien (45 from 53) put on 86 for the second wicket.

All-rounder Stuart Thompson shone with a16-ball 24 that included two down-the-ground sixes off Glenn Maxwell, but the Ireland lower order struggled to keep up with the run rate as wickets kept falling, and were eventually dismissed for 157 from 23.4 overs.