Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa showed why they will be key to Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup bid in a thrashing of Ireland as Steve Smith prepared to fly into Colombo amid doubts over the fitness of Mitchell Marsh. Australia’s selectors have been given a fresh set of questions by a training blow to Marsh that has left him with testicular bleeding and an unclear return date. Smith took part in the Adelaide Pro-Am for LIV Golf on Wednesday but will be on the next available flight to Sri Lanka. “Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week,” said a Cricket Australia spokesperson. Without Marsh, Josh Inglis (37) opened for Australia and did well after he was involved in an early mix-up that ended with Head’s run out.

Source: The Herald February 11, 2026 13:16 UTC