Big-hitting star ruled out as Aussies make spin call for T20 World Cup opener against Ireland — LIVE

Australia gets its T20 World Cup campaign underway tonight, facing Ireland at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium for the first of four group-stage matches. Live from 8:30pm AEDT!

Australia will only have 13 players to choose from, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the tournament and pinch-hitter Tim David also sidelined due to injury.

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Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith will also be missing.

The make-up of Australia’s final XI remains uncertain, but Mitch Marsh’s side is set to unleash a spin-heavy attack in Sri Lanka with reports suggesting Matthew Kuhnemann will partner Adam Zampa.

Left-arm tweaker Kuhnemann took 16 wickets across two Tests on the island nation’s dry surfaces a year ago.

He also made his ODI debut there in 2022, taking six wickets in four games.

With Glenn Maxwell also set to be named in the XI, it may be a case of spin to win for Australia against the Irish.

Ireland has never defeated Australia in any format, with their most recent encounter coming during the 2022 T20 World Cup, a 42-run victory for the hosts at the Gabba.

“You always want to play the top sides in any format,” Irish coach Heinrich Malan told reporters in Colombo on Tuesday.

“We played them in the 2022 World Cup in Australia, which was a great occasion, and we took a fair bit out of that game. Hopefully we can apply some of those learnings in the game on Wednesday… and the boys can execute their skills well.”

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“Whatever Australian team rocks up will be a very competitive team, but you look at some of the names that are proven performers over the last couple of years (and they’re) not in that side,” Malan added.

“And you look at our side, we’ve got some proven performers too, so it sets up to be an exciting challenge and one that we’re very much looking forward to.”

Australia be tempted to for the contest due to Sri Lanka’s dry decks.

The match gets underway at 8.30pm AEDT.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Ireland live scorecard

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Ellis ready to steer new Aussie attack | 01:59

Australian Squad

Mitch Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Irish Squad

⁠Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

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