Ireland put up a brave fight against the immovable force that is Australia Women, but were ultimately well beaten in their opening match at Bready.

Ed Joyce’s side were always up against it after losing influential opener Gaby Lewis and skipper Laura Delany for ducks.

Rebecca Stokell (22) and Orla Prendergast (12) hit two boundaries each – the only ones of the innings as Australia’s bowlers kept a tight grip reducing the Irish to 44 for 6.

They rallied to 99 for 8, helped by Ava Canning’s 14 and 12 from Leah Paul, but such a modest target was never likely to be any trouble for the Aussies star-studded line-up.

Beth Mooney hit an unbeaten 45, while skipper Meg Lanning 39 not out as they sealed a nine-wicket win in the 13th over.

Arlene Kelly (1-19) took the only wicket to fall, dismissing Alyssa Healy.

Ireland are back in action on Tuesday at the same venue, when they take on Pakistan.