It will be just the second time the two sides have met in T20 after a World Cup clash in 2012 where Australia came out winners by seven wickets. Although it was 10 years ago, Australia will likely have five players from that game. Despite the England result, Australia will start as comfortable favorites at the Gabba but there remains enough uncertainty around their form that nothing can be taken for granted. Marcus Stoinis hauled them over the line against Sri Lanka, but the washout against England left unanswered questions.

The main one remains whether Steven Smith will find a spot to return to the side having been pushed out heading into this tournament. Australia has gone with a power-heavy line-up – captain Aaron Finch said on Sunday that the team had batters who can be adaptable – but in a tournament where the ball is holding sway, there is an argument for the skills that Smith brings.

Ireland will probably feel more frustrated by the double-header washout at the MCG because, on a high after beating England, they would have been confident of pushing hard for another two points against Afghanistan. Captain Andy Balbirnie thought they may have been one ball away from defeat the way Moeen Ali was playing, but they were full value for the win. However, they will want to improve the middle-order batting after they lost 9 for 54.

Given Australia close their group matches with games against Ireland and Afghanistan there has been a lot of talk about the net run rate which could yet decide qualification, but Finch followed Glenn Maxwell’s comments from the previous day by saying such a focus can be dangerous and a position of strength has to be earned before taking advantage of it. In a group of narrow margins, though, it could be vital.