Australia beat Ireland by 42 runs to boost their hopes of reaching the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals, and also hurt England’s last four chances in the process.

Aaron Finch
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

After racking up 179-5 in Brisbane – captain Aaron Finch returning to form with 63 from 44 balls – they bowled Ireland out for 137 in 18.1 overs.

The result effectively ends Ireland’s challenge but is also damaging for England, who play their penultimate game of the group against New Zealand tonight.

Australia’s net run-rate, which will split the teams if both England and Australia win their remaining games, has closed up on England’s.

Australia play Afghanistan in their final group game – a match they will expect to win convincingly – while England play Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka after their assignment with New Zealand.

But Australia’s win on Monday was perhaps not as convincing as it could have been – or the net run-rate swing as great – after Australia brutally reduced Ireland to 25-5 inside four overs.

Meanwhile India’s Virat Kohli said he was the victim of an “absolute invasion of privacy” after individuals entered his hotel room in Perth and posted video of his clothes and belongings on social media.

The former India captain said he was appalled by the actions of the “fans” and called for his privacy to be respected.

“I understand that fans get very happy and excited seeing their favourite players and get excited to meet them and I’ve always appreciated that,” said Kohli.

“But this video here is appalling and it’s made me feel very paranoid about my privacy. If I cannot have privacy in my own hotel room, then where can I really expect any personal space at all?

“I’m not okay with this kind of fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy. Please respect people’s privacy and not treat them as a commodity for entertainment.”

Virat Kohli
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Crown Resorts said it was aware of the footage filmed by a contractor working at its Burswood hotel and casino complex.

“We unreservedly apologise to the guest involved and will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure this remains an isolated incident,” a spokeswoman for the company said.

And Kohli, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been rested for the white ball tour of New Zealand next month.

India will play three Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals in New Zealand from Nov. 18, with Hardik Pandya to lead the side in the T20s while Shikhar Dhawan is captain for the 50-over games.

The rested batting trio are back in the squad when India tour Bangladesh in December for three ODIs and two test matches.

“Nobody requested to be rested, the selectors have reports on load management to decide which players need rest. We’re in constant touch with the team management and medical team,” Sharma told reporters.

SQUAD FOR NEW ZEALAND T20s

Hardik Pandya (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik

SQUAD FOR NEW ZEALAND ODIS

Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.

-Reuters