Hopes Shines as Australia Beat Ireland

Dublin: Australia survived a spirited Ireland run chase to secure an unconvincing 39-run victory in a one-day international on Thursday.

The Irish reached 80 without loss chasing Australia's total of 231 for nine but James Hopes took five wickets to halt their momentum and the hosts subsided to 192 all out at the Clontarf Cricket Club.

Medium-pacer Hopes completed figures of five for 14 off nine overs after William Porterfield and Paul Stirling had given Ireland a fine start with bright knocks of 39 and 36.

Stirling eventually lost his leg stump to Ryan Harris and Porterfield was dismissed by Nathan Hauritz.

John Mooney struck a late 38 for Ireland but the damage had been done as they slumped from 80 without loss to 156 for nine.

Opener Tim Paine was Australia's top run scorer with 81 from 122 balls and captain Ricky Ponting made 33. Australia never really dominated Ireland's attack, however, and needed a punchy 42 from Cameron White to post a testing target.

Kevin O'Brien was the pick of Ireland's bowlers, taking three wickets for 43 runs.

The world champions Australians face England in a five-match one-day series starting on Tuesday.

Brief scores
Australia 231 for 9 (Paine 81, K O'Brien 3-43)
Ireland 192 (Porterfield 39, Hopes 5-14)
Result Australia won by 39 runs
MOM James Hopes (Australia)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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