Australia win toss and field against Ireland

BELFAST: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to field in the lone one-day international against Ireland at Stormont, Belfast on Saturday.

Australia rotated their bowlers after Thursday's warm-up victory over Leicestershire, with veteran quick Brett Lee, Pat Cummins and Ben Hilfenhaus replacing James Pattinson, Clint McKay and Mitchell Johnson.

George Bailey was also left out, following a minor injury, with Peter Forrest taking his place.

Ireland gave a debut to Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh, qualified for the country through his grandparents, and omitted Andrew White and Max Sorensen from their squad of 13.

This fixture, a full one-day international, precedes Australia's five-match one-day series against England starting at Lord's on June 29.

The start of the match was delayed by 45 minutes due to a wet outfield but there was no reduction in overs.

Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien (wk), Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien, Alex Cusack, Trent Johnston, John Mooney, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh

Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Matthew Wade (wk), Xavier Doherty, Brett Lee, David Hussey, Peter Forrest, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus

Umpires: Mark Hawthorne (IRL) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG), TV umpire: Mark Eggleston (ENG)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
(AFP)