Ireland overpowered by Australia in T20 World Cup clash in Colombo

Ireland were dealt a blow as skipper Paul Stirling pulled up injured taking a single off the first ball and was unable to retake the field.

Ireland's Lorcan Tucker bats during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup group stage match. Pic: Viraj Kothalawala/Sportsfile.

Australia shrugged off the painful loss of captain Mitchell Marsh to overpower Ireland by 67 runs in their T20 World Cup opener in Colombo.

Marsh was unable to take the field after experiencing "internal testicular bleeding" from a blow in training and is now a doubt for the tournament, with Steve Smith flying in as a potential replacement.