World T20: Australia steam rolls Ireland by 7 wickets

Australia beat Ireland by 7 wickets in their opening Group B World T20 match in Colombo.

Shane Watson started the proceedings in a grand fashion by picking up Ireland skipper William Poterfield in the first ball. He followed it up with that of Nial and Kevin O' Brien's wickets.

Mitchel Starc joined in to scalp Paul Stirling in the second over. He returned with 2 wickets for 20 runs.

Ireland's World Cup hero, Kevin O' Brien tried to accelerate the scoring, but fell to Watson after scoring 35 from 29 balls.

Brad Hogg, at nearly 42 years of age, wasn't willing to miss out on the party. He picked up Gary Wilson in his first over.

George Drokwell picked up David Warner, but by then an opening stand of 60 runs with Watson had already done the damage.

Michael Hussey was expected to finish off the match for the Aussies, but the veteran was caught trapped in front of the wicket by Kevin O' Brien.

Man-of-the-Match Shane Watson added a fluent an innings of 51 from 30 balls to his three-wicket haul to see Australia sail through their opener in World T20.