T20 World Cup as it happened: Australia keep Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive with big win over Ireland

Well folks, that’s all for our rolling coverage from the Gabba tonight. Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup defence is alive and well.

Now our attention turns to England’s clash with New Zealand. There’s plenty to ponder over the next few days with net run rates to account for and hamstring scans to sweat on as clouds hover over Aaron Finch - who finally returned to form - and Tim David.

Keep your eyes locked on our pages for all the latest out of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Caden Helmers signing off. But before I do, I’ll ask you to do something: check in on a mate, ask them how they’re really going, and tell them how you’re really going. Vulnerability is powerful, folks.

Australia were on fire early.Credit: AP

Australia delivered the vast victory their Twenty20 World Cup campaign sorely needed, eclipsing Ireland by 42 runs at the Gabba and closing the gap on England’s net run rate in the race for the semi-finals.

But the captain Aaron Finch and middle order hitter Tim David each suffered hamstring complaints to further complicate what has already been a challenging few weeks for the Australian selectors. Cameron Green and Steve Smith are the reserve batting options in the squad.

There were a few hiccups in an Australian tally of 5-179 that started slowly, found substance through Finch (63, 44 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (35, 25 balls) then petered out again, before the host nation’s bowlers shattered Ireland’s top order.

Glenn Maxwell closes the show with a run out.Credit: Getty

Lorcan Tucker.Credit: Getty

Australia were on fire early.Credit: AP

Aaron Finch.Credit: AP

Glenn Maxwell closes the show with a run out.Credit: Getty

Australia leapfrog England into second on five competition points - but potentially only for 24 hours. The net run rate gets a boost tonight but they still need results to go their way to earn a semi-final berth.

England face New Zealand on Tuesday night, while Australia close out their pool stages against Afghanistan on Friday.

Aaron Finch has claimed man of the match honours in Brisbane but concerns hover over the Australian skipper, who left the field with a hamstring injury and could be in doubt for Friday’s must-win clash with Afghanistan.

“Little hammy twinge. I’ll get scans tomorrow, unfortunately I’ve had a history of them. Generally overnight they can stuffen up. We’ll get a scan,” Finch said.

Finch scored 63 runs to lead the Australians to a winning total.

“It wasn’t the easiest wicket, it was a lot slower than we thought it would be,” Finch said. “The support from the change room and the coaching staff has been unbelievable. You get out in the middle and you let your instinct take over. Twenty20 is a high-risk game. Sometimes you get them out of the middle.”

Australia 5-179 (Aaron Finch 63, Marcus Stoinis 35; Barry McCarthy 3-29, Josh Little 2-21) bt Ireland 137 (Lorcan Tucker 71*, Gareth Delany 14; Glenn Maxwell 2-14, Adam Zampa 2-19) at the Gabba.

Adam Zampa impressed in his return.Credit: AP

Mitchell Marsh rips one in to Glenn Maxwell, who completes a run out of Josh Little to secure a 42-run win for Australia over Ireland at the Gabba tonight.

Job done for the defending champions, who have reignited their Twenty20 World Cup ambitions. It’s not quite the dominant performance they hoped for after reducing Ireland to 5-25, but it’s a big win nonetheless. The attention now turns to Afghanistan on Friday, with an eye on England and New Zealand before then.