T20 World Cup: Pathum Nissanka hits unbeaten 100 as Sri Lanka crush Australia
Australia’s hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup were all but ended when Sri Lankan Pathum Nissanka hit a stunning unbeaten 100 at Pallekele that condemned them to an eight-wicket defeat.
Australia needed a win to keep their qualification fate in their own hands after being stunned by Zimbabwe in their second game on Friday, but it was Sri Lanka who advanced to the next round.
For Australia to finish second in the group, Zimbabwe now need to lose both of their remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka and then beat Oman, which will bring the net run rate into play.
Australia’s predicament was due to a lack of good starts from their first batsmen, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, setting the home team up with a target of 182 after a collapse in the second half of their innings.
Despite the feeling that Sri Lanka could have a complicated chase due to the slowing pitch, they cruised to victory with the Australian bowling attack lacking any bite in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
And the Sri Lankan duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took full advantage of the situation.
With wicketkeeper Mendis providing excellent support with 51 off 38 balls, Nissanka brought up his century off 52 balls to take his side across the finish line with a strike that blended brute power and finesse.
Australia bounced back from a groin injury that forced Marsh out of the first two matches and the returning captain delivered a solid platform knock for his side off Head, who struck an overdue half-century off 27 balls.
They led Australia to 104-0 in 8.2 overs before Head departed for 59, marking the beginning of a dramatic setback.
Marsh soon followed with a lively score of 54 and, worryingly, they unraveled to make 181, losing their last five wickets in just seven runs and 14 balls.
While Sri Lanka chased the target with ease, the Australians will have to cling to only the faintest mathematical hope and will anxiously watch Zimbabwe take on Ireland on Tuesday.
