Australia Dumped Out Of Twenty20 World Cup 2009

Sri Lanka have done what every nation would love to do is dump the Aussies out a major ICC tournament and the Twenty20 crown still eludes the baggy green nation.

In simple the Aussies were awful in all departments where Sri Lanka were magnificent and deserve there win and a place in the Super 8’s. The Aussies batting could not have started off worse with losing Warner in the first over which brought in captain Ponting who is always suspect at the start but looked very good scoring at a strike rate of 166.66 before he bowled by a superb ball by Mendis which brought a clutter of wickets. Next Mendis got the wicket of Watson and Malinga bowled Haddin and Udana removed Clarke leaving Australia reeling at 79 for 5.

Things only got worse for the Aussies with Michael Hussey losing his wicket in the 15th over leaving Australia reeling at 94 for 6 and it seemed impossible for them to post a competitive target that would test Sri Lanka. But Mitchell Johnson had other ideas where he came in and played the type of innings that was required scoring 28 of 13 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes, and he was helped by Brett Lee who scored a quick fire 15 to post a competitive 159.

Sri Lanka had the perfect start apart from losing Jayasuriya with an excellent partnership from Dllshan and Sangakkara who both ended up scoring half centuries. With Sangakkara at the crease the chase was always in control and manageable even when the required run rate kept on increasing but it was helped by cheap wickets of ex captain Jayawardene and Silva. But captain Sagakkara kept his cool head and calmness and he allowed Mubarak to express himself and scored 2 big sixes who took the pressure of his captain and put the pressure back on the Ricky Ponting.

The less that can be said about Australia’s bowling the better it lacked the imagination, the variety, and cricket brain to outsmart batting teams which is sad state of affair when looking at Australian bowling attacks of McGrath and Warne that dominated for long periods. The way the match ended was not the way Sri Lanka would have liked with wide but it is a win over the Aussies but it said more about Australia’s two performances in the tournament.

A lot of credit has to be given to Sri Lanka who in one match look a very good team and should reach the semi finals without breaking a sweat. They have the most balance bowling attack with the creativity, imagination and guile that will trouble any batting line and the top four batsmen have the ability to win matches single handily.

This day may be remembered for Australia being dumped out of the Twenty20 World Cup but it also has to be remembered for Ireland’s fantastic win over Bangladesh that takes them into the Super 8’s which is marvelous effort. It is a another blow to Bangladesh who have not been progressing since the 2007 World Cup and there were a team who could have troubled teams in the next round.

Day four has shown expect the unexpected and that is what we got an Ireland win and the Australians dumped out.