Badly depleted Australia has eked its way to 6-182 from its overs 20 in the Aussies’ World Cup opener against Ireland in Colombo.

In a consummate bits and pieces innings, four players reached 20 but none got to 50 on a wicket the Aussies will hope should only become harder to bat on.

Stand-in skipper Travis Head won the toss and chose to bat, the Aussies were forced into a grinding game on a slow track at the Premadasa Stadium.

Without at least four of its first choice side XI after captain Mitch Marsh (testicular bleeding) joined Tim David (hamstring) and the ruled out Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia was more vulnerable than usual.

So it proved. At various points across the Aussie innings openings presented for Ireland.

Ireland relied heavily on spin, and despite the positivity of Josh Inglis (37 from 17 balls) and Cameron Green (21 from 11) in the power play, Australia was on the precipice by the time Glenn Maxwell nicked one from Harry Tector on nine, leaving the favourites at 4-88 in the 10th over.

But Marcus Stoinis and Matt Renshaw dug in. Renshaw found the boundary just twice across 33 balls at the crease but at least managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over in conditions antithetical to the stereotype of T20 cricket.

Stoinis and Head both received lives but neither made Ireland pay particularly. Head was run out for seven after a mix-up with Inglis, while Stoinis picked out Ben Calitz at deep midwicket on 45 after being dropped on 35.

Australia has unleashed spin twins Adam Zampa and Matt Kuhnemann in its Twenty20 World Cup opener against Ireland in Colombo.

Tim David was ruled out as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while captain Mitch Marsh will also miss the clash after he suffered a damaged testicle

The teams last met in a T20 international at the 2022 World Cup, when the Aussies triumphed by 42 runs thanks to skipper Aaron Finch’s knock of 63 from 44 balls.

This time around the injury-hit Australians were still heavy favourites, albeit without the big three quicks Mitch Starc (retired), Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins (both injured).

Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis will lead the attack after overcoming injury, however Tim David will miss Australia’s first game of the tournament.

Pakistan has made the early running, sitting top of Group A with two wins from as many matches.

Australia is the only team yet to play a game.

Ireland lost its opening match against Sri Lanka by 20 runs after being 2-105 needing 59 runs from 35 balls.