Ireland squandered a great chance to beat Australia as the world champions clinched a 39-run victory in a one-off one-dayer in Dublin on Thursday.
Tim Paine’s defiant 81 was the backbone of Australia’s modest 231/9 in 50 overs. Ireland, in reply, were bowled out for 192 in 42 overs with James Hopes taking 5/14.
Paine faced 122 balls, with two sixes and five fours, and was at the wicket for all but the final six overs of the innings as Australia, who won the toss, failed to assert their superiority over the top-ranked Associate nation.
Of the rest of the Aussie line-up, captain Ricky Ponting (33) and Cameron White (42) both got in but did not cash in on a good start and when White was out at the end of the 38th over, Australia were 152/4.
— Agencies
Scores: Australia 231/9 in 50 overs (Paine 81, K O’Brien 3/43) bt Ireland 192 in 42 overs (Porterfield 39; Hopes 5/14)