Australia opener Shane Watson says his side “made a statement” in Wednesday’s seven-wicket triumph over Ireland in their first game at the World Twenty20 in Colombo.
The Irish set a target of just 7/123, with Watson staring with 3/26 and Mitchell Starc contributing 2/20, while Kevin O’Brien topscored with 35 runs off 29 balls.
In reply, Watson was outstanding again belting 51 off 30 balls to lead his side to glory, while David Warner chimed in with 26 and Cameron White 22 not out.
Man-of-the-match Watson said: “We knew how important it was to really make a statement in this game. I know by bowling the first over it really starts with me, so I knew how important it was to be able to set the tone.
“It’s a bit of a blueprint of the intensity that we need to have as a team.”
Watson also said Ireland might find it harder nowadays in world cricket after some of their exploits in recent years.
“It is probably going to get even harder for Ireland now,” he said.
“They know what they are going to get from the opposition is full tilt every single game. The better Ireland get the more people are going to make sure they are up for the game.
“That is taking nothing away from Ireland in the past, but with the quality of the players they have and what they have shown on the world stage in World Cups the biggest sides know that if they are slightly off the Irish can certainly take a game away from them.
“I am sure with the quality of players they are going to improve. It is a great thing for world cricket to see the quality of players they are bringing through.”