T20 World Cup: Ireland
relishing Australia clash - Andrew Balbirnie
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ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Australia v
Ireland |
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Date: 31 October Time: 08:00
BST Venue: Brisbane Cricket Ground |
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Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary
on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website & app; live text
commentary with clips on BBC Sport website & app |
Ireland captain Andrew
Balbirnie says Monday's crunch T20 World Cup encounter with defending champions
Australia is "something pretty special".
Both teams have three points from three Super
12 games and a defeat could end hopes of making the semi-finals.
"We certainly have that belief in our
group that we can beat them, but we know we'll have to be very good on the
day," said Balbirnie.
"I know the group are pretty excited
about that challenge."
Balbirnie starred with a superb 62 in
Ireland's stunning five-run victory over England in
Melbourne on Wednesday.
Ireland's game against Afghanistan and the match between Australia and England were washed out on Friday as rain fell at the MCG.
Ireland sit third and Australia fourth in a
tight Group One - a point separates the six sides - as they prepare for their
penultimate game with only the top two going through to the semis.
Ireland end their group campaign against group
leaders New Zealand on Friday, while Australia take on Afghanistan, with both
matches in Adelaide.
"Playing the world champions in their own
backyard is something pretty special," Balbirnie said.
"Each game brings its own challenge, and
certainly playing the best T20 team as they're champions up at the Gabba is
pretty special.
"I haven't played them in a T20
international, but we know how good they'll be.
"It's certainly getting down to that sort
of must-win territory for a lot of teams. Certainly, there will be big pressure
on those teams when they play against us. They'll be expected to beat us, no
doubt.
"It's kind of a nice way to go into a
game. You can play with a bit more freedom. They're under a lot of pressure and
it will be all to play for, for all the teams next week at the Gabba and then
down to Adelaide.
"So it's exciting, getting to go to the
Gabba and the Adelaide Oval in potentially games that could progress you into
the semi-finals all going well. But certainly, the first task is to have a good
crack at the Aussies."
