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In a high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 Group B clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 11, 2026, Australia‘s middle-order resilience was tested by a spirited Ireland bowling attack. Following the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Marsh, the Australian side struggled to find momentum against the turning ball in Colombo. While Marcus Stoinis and Matt Renshaw looked to stabilize the ship with a vital partnership, the breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Ireland’s left-arm sensation, Matthew Humphreys, produced a moment of magic that silenced the Australian dugout. This dismissal proved to be the turning point that prevented a late-innings explosion from the 2021 champions.
Matthew Humphreys rattles Matt Renshaw’s middle-stump middle stump with 110 kmph thunderbolt
The dismissal of Renshaw was a masterclass in deception and raw pace from a finger spinner. Operating in the 17th over, Matthew Humphreys decided to abandon the traditional flighted delivery for a ‘dart’ that caught everyone off guard. Clocked at a staggering 110.2 kmph, the ball skidded off the surface with a ‘back-of-a-length’ trajectory that followed Renshaw as he tried to back away and whip it through the leg side. Rooted to the crease and beaten for pure pace, Renshaw was late on the shot, getting a thin inside edge that saw the ball crash violently into the top of middle stump, knocking it clean out of the ground.
Renshaw, who had played a crucial hand of 37 off 33 balls with two boundaries and four sixes, could only stare at the carnage behind him before trudging back to the pavilion. The wicket broke a threatening 61-run partnership just as Australia was looking to push toward a 180-plus total. Humphreys’ ability to bowl at medium-pace speeds while maintaining the accuracy of a spinner has become a major talking point of the T20 World Cup, leaving even established Test batters like Renshaw searching for answers in the heat of Colombo.
Here’s the video:
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦, 𝗜 𝗛𝗜𝗧! 🔥
Matthew Humphreys darts in a 110 kmph delivery to outfox Matt Renshaw 👏
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #AUSvIRE | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/jGP2pQtjsX pic.twitter.com/2vZiehF5lc
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 11, 2026
Also READ: AUS vs IRE, T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Mitchell Marsh is not playing today’s match
T20 World Cup 2026: Australia posts 182/6 after early turbulence against Ireland
Australia’s first innings was a rollercoaster of aggressive intent and frequent setbacks against an inspired Irish side. After stand-in captain Travis Head won the toss and elected to bat, the innings got off to a disastrous start when Head was run out for 7 following a catastrophic mix-up with Josh Inglis. Despite the early blow, Josh Inglis (37 off 17) and Cameron Green (21 off 11) launched a counter-attack, smashing five boundaries and three sixes between them to keep the run rate above nine. However, Ireland’s veterans Mark Adair (2/31) and George Dockrell (1/22) struck back in the middle overs, removing both set batters and eventually dismissing Glenn Maxwell for just 9, leaving Australia reeling at 90/4 in the 10th over.
The rescue act was led by Marcus Stoinis, who hammered a defiant 45 off 29 balls, including a massive six into the second tier of the Premadasa stands. Supported by Renshaw’s steady 37, the pair dragged Australia back into the contest before the late-inning wickets of both set batters stalled the progress. Australia eventually finished their 20 overs at 182/6 on this dry, turning surface. Ireland now faces a daunting chase under the lights, needing to navigate a world-class Australian bowling attack led by Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis to secure an upset that would throw Group B wide open.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
