Australian captain Aaron Finch isn't going to take Ireland lightly ahead of their clash at the T20 World Cup in Brisbane on Monday.
Australia's campaign to defend the trophy they won 12 months ago in the United Arab Emirates more or less goes on the line this weekend, with virtual knockout games thanks to a poor group standing and net run rate set to get going.
Australia have won just one of their first three games, to go with a washout, and they now must record heavy wins over Afghanistan and Ireland to assure their spot in the finals of the tournament.
Ireland stunned England under the Duckworth-Lewis method last week, and while England may have been able to get home, the equation had started to balloon out before rain hit the match in Sydney.
Finch told reporters on Saturday that Australia weren't about to take Ireland lightly, with the men in green still also a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
"We have seen how damaging Ireland can be if you give them a sniff in a game," the Australia captain said.
"First and foremost you have to do the basics well and make sure you get your team into a position where if that presents you can push forward.
"I think the last thing you want to do is push too hard and leave yourself too much to do.
"They have got some seriously talented players and some experience, especially at the top of the order. They are never a team you can take lightly.
"If the wicket has got anything in it they have got very good bowlers to maximise that as well."
Finch himself is under enormous pressure ahead of the clash against Ireland, with a washout against England in Melbourne meaning he had no chance of allaying selectors' fears, while the two games before brought lean returns.
