Oz prevail amid Belfast rains
World champions Australia beat Ireland by 23 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method in their rain-affected lone one-day international in Belfast on Thursday.
Ireland, set a revised target of 181 in 24 overs were dismissed for 157 in 23.4 overs, with Nathan Coulter-Nile taking three for 13 and Pat Cummins two for 19.
Earlier, Australia in their first match at this level since winning the World Cup, made 222 for six in 40.2 overs before their innings was cut short by rain.
David Warner top-scored with 84 and fellow opener Joe Burns made 69 on ODI debut in what was Steven Smith's first match as full-time Australia captain following the retirement of Michael Clarke.
With rain having already delayed the scheduled start and forcing a further reduction in overs during Australia's innings, Ireland were set a revised target of 195 to win in 27 overs.
That in turn became 181 in 24 overs after yet more rain halted Ireland's reply with the hosts 27 for two after 6.2 overs.
SCORES IN BRIEF
AUSTRALIA: 222 for 6 40.2 overs (Burns 69, Warner 84, Smith 21, Watson 26 not out, Marsh 11; Murtagh 2-45, Mooney 1-33, Thompson 1-37)
IRELAND: 157 all out in 23.4 overs (Joyce 44, O'Brien 45, Balbirnie 12, Thompson 24; Starc 2-34, Coulter-Nile 3-13, Cummins 2-19, Maxwell 2-41)
Result: Australia won by 23 runs on D/L method.
Player-of-the-match: David Warner.
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