Online Desk: Australia skipper Aaron finch played an excellent knock of 63 from 44 deliveries to guide his team to a commanding total of 179/5 in their Super 12 encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against Ireland at the Gabba in Brisbane on Monday.

The hosts got off to a slow start as the Ireland bowlers used the conditions well to keep Australia quiet. Barry McCarthy dismissed David Warner in the third over of the innings before Australia could get any sort of momentum going.

Finch and Mitchell Marsh tried their best but they could take Australia to a score of 38/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Things changed soon, though. Marsh and Finch started taking on the bowlers after the powerplay and added the necessary impetus to the Australian innings. Finch was involved in two crucial partnerships of 52 and 70 with Marsh and Marcus Stoinis respectively, which helped Australia in getting to such a competitive total.

It was McCarthy once again who brought an end to Finch’s knock while Stoinis also played a good innings of 35  from 25 deliveries. Matthew Wade and Tim David, who remained unbeaten on seven and 15 respectively, also added valuable runs towards the end.