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Australia beat Ireland in Belfast

Australia beat Ireland by 23 runs in Belfast following a lengthy rain delay as they salvage some pride following their Ashes defeat to England.

Australia have bounced back from their Ashes disappointment to record a 23-run victory over Ireland via the Duckworth–Lewis method in a rain-delayed clash in Belfast.

The Aussies finished on 222-6 after 40 overs to set their Irish counterparts a target of 181 from 24 overs following a lengthy rain delay at Stormont.

The tourists enjoyed a productive start to their innings as openers David Warner (84) and Joe Burns (69) managed 153 runs between them.

Those contributions proved the foundation that their one-day win was built on, with Shane Watson's unbeaten 26 the pick of the remaining batsmen.

Ireland began ominously as openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling managed just four runs between them, before their successors threw them the slimmest of lifelines.

Ed Joyce (44) and Niall O'Brien (45) restored the competitive element somewhat, but Glenn Maxwell slowed their momentum by removing both of them.

The hosts never looked the same after that pairing was broken up as Australia salvaged some professional pride following their Ashes setback.

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Australia coach Darren Lehmann oversees an official team training session ahead of the fourth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at the Riverside stadium in Chester-le-Street, north-east England on August 8, 2013
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