Defending champions Australia thrash Ireland by 42 runs to pick up two crucial points in a crunch game in Brisbane and keep semifinal hopes alive.

Skipper Aaron Finch (63 off 44) and Marcus Stoinis (35 off 25) set the hosts up for a challenging 179/5, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc's double-wicket opening overs had Ireland in tatters on 25/5 by the end of the fourth over. Lorcan Tucker's valiant hand of 71* notwithstanding, the result of the match was a forgone conclusion. David Warner fell cheaply in a third successive time in thi World cup, but skipper Finch and Mitch Marsh put on a quick 52-run stand in exactly six overs.

Anyway Australia managed to get 179 for 5 wickets in 20 overs.

In reply Ireland, only managed to score only 137 runs in 18.1 overs. Ireland were 25 for 5 inside four overs but Lorcan Tucker took 71 runs not out.