Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup

Ponting and his men received a crushing blow on Monday night as Sri Lanka beat them by 6 wickets, knocking the Aussies out of the Twenty20 World Cup. A captain’s innings by Kumar Sangakkara (55 not out) and Tillakaratne Dilshan quickfire 53 knocked Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge on Monday night.

The unthinkable has happened – the mighty Australians have been knocked out of the Twenty20 World Cup tournament in England after losing to Sri Lanka in the group stages.Facing an embarrassing first round exit, the Aussies lined up against the Lankans to stay alive in this World Cup.

After Warner’s first over exit, skipper Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson steadied the ship keeping the scoring rate at above a healthy run a ball.

But the introduction of spin did the Aussies in. Wily Ajantha Mendis claimed 3 including Ponting, while debutant Udana picked 2 as the Australian innings crumbled to the Lankan spin.

With 94 runs in 15 overs the Aussies had their back against the wall. But in came Mitchell Johnson to do the rescue act – 2 sixes and 2 boundaries in his 13 ball-28 helped Australia post 159.

In the Lankan innings even as Jayasuriya fell early, the classy Dilshan took the attack to Australia cracking a quick fire 50 to guide the chase.

While Skipper Sangakkara was enjoying his new role; staying unbeaten at 55 not out the stylish southpaw led his side to victory.

Andrew Symonds not play in the T20, sent back home

Australia’s bad boy Andrew Symonds will not play in the T20 World Cup. Symond is being sent back due to an ‘alcohol-related incident’. Symonds missed the team practice at the Oval earlier today (June 4) and initial reports suggested that the player has been pulled up on disciplinary grounds.

Symond’s sacking from the squad is surely going to send Australia’s plans into disarray ahead of the World Cup starting Friday (June 6). The all-rounder has a history of getting into trouble with Cricket Australia who also sent the player into rehabilitation earlier this year. This latest incident has certainly put questionmarks on Symo’s career.