Australia Playing XI vs Ireland Playing XI will be the last chance for the Australian team to settle on the final combination of players who can participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 in the absence of their key players. This is the first time that the Australian team will be without its key players.
Australia, for the first time since the 2009 Champions Trophy, will play in an ICC tournament without a single player from Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith or David Warner as part of their playing eleven. They will largely depend on captain Marsh and all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell for experience.
The following article provides a detailed study of the probable playing XI for the match between Australia and Ireland.
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Australia Playing XI vs Ireland Playing XI, Match No. 14 – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Australia Playing XI vs Ireland – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head
Australian openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will remain the opening pair for the Australian team. Mitchell Marsh is the most experienced batsman in the lineup, and a lot will depend on his performance at the top of the batting order. On the other hand, left-hander Travis Head has been key to his performance in the ICC T20 World Cup in the subcontinent. Head has a strike rate of over 170 when batting in the powerplay in the subcontinent.
Middle-order: Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell
Cameron Green, the big all-rounder, is the only player who has shown some form and resistance against the spinners in their last series against Pakistan. Josh Inglis is another important name and is the only gloveman in the team. The return of Tim David could boost their chances in the T20 World Cup, although his return is still under investigation.
Marcus Stoinis is Australia’s biggest hitter in the death overs, while the great Glenn Maxwell will return as their leading match-winner in this format. Young player Cooper Connolly is likely to perform well with ball and bat in his first ICC tournament.
Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Adam Zampa/Matthew Kuhnman
In the absence of Hazlewood and Cummins, Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis will be Australia’s only hope of keeping them in the game. Experienced spinner Adam Zampa was handed the role of chief mover; However, if his return is delayed, slow left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnman could be a replacement.
Australia Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa/Matthew Kuhnman.
Ireland Playing XI vs Australia – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Paul Stirling and Ross Adair
Experienced Irish opening batsman Paul Stirling would like to lead the Irish batting innings as the captain of the Indian team. Stirling will be their main batsman up front along with newcomer Ross Adair. Both will look to make the most of the fielding restrictions in the powerplay.
Middle-order: Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany
Right-handed batsman Lorcan Tucker can be singled out as one of the best players in the Irish middle-order at present. Tucker will be crucial to their middle-order campaign, while Harry Tector and Curtis Campher are also important players who support the frontline batsmen.
Dockrell and Delaney are the two spinners who play a major role for them with the white ball. They will be important for the match, especially as the weakness of the Australian players against the spinners has been exposed.
Bowlers: Mark Adair, Josh Little and Matthew Humphreys
Ireland’s fast bowlers Mark Adair and Josh Little and spinner Matthew Humphreys are the leading players in the team. While Little is relatively new to the team, Mark Adair is the more experienced cricketer. Humphries has been effective with his economical, slow left-arm spin.
Ireland’s playing XI: Paul Stirling (captain), Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Ben Callitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Matthew Humphreys.
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