Sri Lanka book their Super 8 ticket with Australia victory
Sri Lanka have secured their place in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup with a commanding eight-wicket win over Australia in Kandy, powered by a brilliant unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka.
Sri Lanka have been a surprise packet at the T20 World Cup, and after winning their opening three matches, have seen their tournament winner odds slashed from 44.00 into 14.00.
The Australians are now locked in a fight for their lives after dropping successive games and seeing their odds balloon from 4.00 pre-tournament, out to 27.00 with leading betting sites.
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Captain Mitch Marsh, who was returning from a testicle injury, said the loss was heartbreaking after coming into the tournament with hopes of a deep run.
“Not much to say apart from the fact that Sri Lanka outplayed us,” he said.
“It is a devastated group. We are in the lap of the Gods now. [A] Lot of emotions in the room. We have not been at our best.
“We watch the Zimbabwe-Ireland game with hope, but we are disappointed.”
After being sent in, Australia appeared well positioned at 0-104 following an aggressive opening stand between Mitch Marsh (54 off 27) and Travis Head (56 off 29). However, the innings unravelled dramatically as the Australians lost their final six wickets for just 21 runs, eventually bowled out for 181.
Sri Lanka’s response was clinical. Nissanka dominated the chase with a stunning 100 not out from 52 deliveries, while Kusal Mendis contributed a composed 51. The pair set the platform before Pavan Rathnayake’s late cameo guided the co-hosts to the target with 12 balls remaining.
Australia’s bowlers struggled to contain Nissanka, who accelerated after the midway point, striking key boundaries to put the result beyond doubt.
The heat will turn on the selectors after their batting line-up failed miserably in the sub-continent, while Australia’s greatest modern day and in-form batsman Steve Smith sits on the sidelines.
The defeat leaves Australia’s tournament hopes hanging by a thread, with qualification scenarios now dependent on other group results. The Aussies now need to hope Zimbabwe lose their last two pool matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka, while winning their last match against Oman comfortably.
