In the fourth game of the Women's Tri-Series, Australia crushed Ireland by 63 runs thanks to half-centuries from captain Meg Lanning (74) and Tahlia McGrath (70).
Following Meg and Tahlia's contributions, which helped Australia reach 182-4 in 20 overs, the highest total of the series thus far, leg-spinner Alana King took 2-11 from three overs, and she was assisted by left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen and pacer Megan Schutt, who both claimed two wickets, to keep Ireland to 119-7 in 20 overs.
With the ball, Ireland had a strong start, holding Australia to 39-2 after six overs. Alyssa Healy was caught lbw for one by Georgina Dempsey, who was the first bowler to make a strike. Meg seemed perfectly at home in the middle, but Australia suffered another setback when Rachel Delaney struck in her first over and Beth Mooney mishandled a full toss, throwing a catch to mid-on and departing for nine.
Meg and Tahlia were now together, and after a couple of quiet overs, Australia got going thanks to the visiting captain's two sixes off Arlene Kelly's second over. Meg and Tahlia regularly hit the corners of the field for boundaries as the former reached her half-century off 31 balls and the latter took 30. Their partnership was the highest third-wicket stand for Australia Women in T20 Internationals, totaling 135 runs.
In the penultimate over of the innings, Georgina grabbed a superb catch at deep square leg off the bowling of Arlene, and Meg eventually left the game for 74. The final over featured teenage Georgina once again in the action, who removed Tahlia for 70 and concluded with figures of 2-35 from her four overs. Leah Paul (0-20 off three overs) and Ava Canning (0-18 off three) put in efficient performances, but Australia's score of 182-4 was still a substantial one.
With the ball, Australia swiftly made progress as Rebecca Stokell left for one in the first over of the reply to Megan. Meg's safe hands were discovered by fellow opener Gaby Lewis in the fourth over, off the bowling of Jess. However, Orla Prendergast appeared to be in great shape when she advanced to 20 from just 13 balls by smashing four boundaries.
A strong partnership between captain Laura Delany and Orla was developing, but after 36 runs, Alana lured Orla down the pitch only for the ball to elude her and strike the stumps. The right-hander was stumped for three in her subsequent over as she struck again by spinning the ball past Rachel Delaney.
Australia's bowlers tied down run-scoring in the middle overs and regular wickets meant Ireland were unable to pose a significant threat as the innings wound down. Orla finished as Ireland's top-scorer with 25, but not enough for the hosts to avoid a thrashing from the World Champions.
Brief Scores: Australia 182-4 in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 74, Tahlia McGrath 70; Georgina Dempsey 2-35) beat Ireland 119-7 in 20 overs (Orla Prendergast 25, Laura Delany 21; Alana King 2-11, Megan Schutt 2-16) by 63 runs