Australia have scored a thumping nine-wicket win over Ireland after Glenn McGrath and Shaun Tait bowled the World Cup minnows out for 91 in their Super Eights match in Barbados.

The retiring McGrath's fairytale tournament continued as the 37-year-old paceman grabbed 3-17 off seven overs, lifting his tally to 18 for the tournament in seven games.

Sent in to bat by Ricky Ponting on a pacy Kensington Oval pitch, the Irish had no answer to Australia's new-ball combination of McGrath and 24-year-old pace sensation Shaun Tait, who took 3-39 from six overs including nine wides.

Ireland's 91 in 30 overs was the ninth-lowest total in World Cup history. The lowest is Canada's 36 against Sri Lanka in South Africa in 2003.

Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist smacked 34 off 25 balls in an opening stand of 62 with Mike Hussey (30 not out), who was promoted up the order to gain some valuable time in the middle.

Andrew Symonds came in at No.3 and was unbeaten on 15.

Australia reached 1-92 from 12.2 overs with Hussey hooking a six for the winning runs over mid-wicket.

McGrath had struck with the sixth delivery of the game, removing Sydney-born left-hander Jeremy Bray for one.

Tait's pace was too much for Ireland's William Porterfield (1) and Niall O'Brien (0), who fell in successive balls in the fourth over.

McGrath picked up his second wicket in the following over and plunged Ireland into chaos at 4-12 when Eoin Morgan was caught at slip for a duck.

A slower ball from McGrath had Andrew White caught at mid-on by a leaping Brad Hogg for six, after White had been struck on the helmet by McGrath two overs earlier.

Kevin O'Brien (16) flicked a ball from Stuart Clark to Brad Hodge at square leg at 6-42. Clark had come into the side for his World Cup debut in place of in-form left-armer Nathan Bracken, who was rested to give Clark a run.

Tait returned for a second spell, having further success when Australian-born Ireland skipper Trent Johnston played an attempted off-drive onto his stumps for 17 at 7-54.

Medium-pacer Andrew Symonds and spinner Brad Hogg each took a wicket before John Mooney (23) and Boyd Rankin (4 not out) added 11 for the last stand.

McGrath's 18 wickets in this tournament puts him in touch with the record held by Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas who took 23 in 2003.

Undefeated in 25 consecutive World Cup matches including seven in this tournament, Australia play Sri Lanka and New Zealand next week in Grenada ahead of the April 24-25 semi-finals.

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