Preview: Semi-final hopes on the line as Australia face Ireland at The Gabba

T20 World Cup Standings

Both teams are level with England on three points from three matches in the Super 12 stage, with New Zealand leading the group and on-course for a top two finish.

Whichever side wins in Brisbane will put themselves firmly into contention to secure a semi-final berth in the final round of games, while the losing team will require a mathematical miracle to finish in the top two.

On paper of course this should be a routine win for Australia – the tournament hosts and defending ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions.

But matches aren’t won on paper, and an in-form Ireland have already taken two giant scalps in this competition with their wins over England and West Indies.

“They've got some seriously talented players,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said, wary of taking the Irish lightly.

“They've got a lot of experience, especially at the top of the order, as well, so they're never a team that you can take lightly. If the wicket has got anything in it, they've got very good bowlers to maximise that, as well.”

Even two wins from their remaining two matches may not be enough for Australia, with Net Run Rate looking as if it could be a deciding factor. And the Aussies don’t fare well on Net RR as things stand, with their hammering against New Zealand leaving them with the worst run rate in the competition (-1.555).

A big win would put big pressure on their rivals ahead of the final round of matches, but sets up the dilemma of when to push hard for runs – too early could risk a loss, too late could be damaging in the final standings.

“I think you have to earn the right to go after a run-rate performance,” Finch said. “We've seen how damaging Ireland can be if you give them a sniff in a game, so you never go into a game thinking about things like that.

“I think that will naturally unfold if the opportunity presents, but first and foremost you have to do the basics well and make sure you get your team into a position that you can, if that presents it, you can push forward.

“I think the last thing you want to do is push too hard, leave yourself a lot to do, then you end up in a bit of a stick or twist.”

T20 World Cup Fixtures

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Ireland

Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little

**Glenn Maxwell:**He has been stuck in a rut of late. Maxwell is averaging only 16.53 in T20Is this year and his 2022 strike rate has also gone down to 120.97. He has to get back to the top of his game soon in order to help his team get through to the semi-finals, and showed positive signs during a destructive cameo against Sri Lanka.

Mark Adair: Ireland need Powerplay wickets and while all eyes are on Josh Little, Adair's ability to swing the new ball and create wicket-taking opportunities up front makes him a genuine threat.

Captaincy pick: Paul Stirling

On his day, there's no stopping Paul Stirling as West Indies found out earlier in the tournament. If there's anyone who can punch a hole in the Powerplay and eat into the early Australian overs then it is Stirling, and Ireland will hope that he manages to pull it off once again.

Must-have Pick: David Warner

Even though Warner missed out on scoring big in the first two matches, he has been in superb form in T20Is this year. The top-order batter has amassed 312 runs in just eight matches in 2022, at a superb average of 39 and an even better strike rate of 152.19.

Differential Pick: Adam Zampa

Australia's spinner hasn't had the opportunity to make an impact on the tournament yet, first through injury and then the weather. But he's a proven game-changer and will be looking to make hay against an Irish batting line-up that hasn't always handled the turning ball well.