Australia stand on the brink of a first round elimination at the T20 World Cup after a crushing eight wicket defeat to Sri Lanka that secured their opponents a place the Super 8s.
2021 champions Australia, now need Zimbabwe to lose to Ireland on Tuesday and then to Sri Lanka on Thursday to remain in contention, following a defeat inspired by a stunning century from Pathum Nissanka in Pallekele.
Even then, Mitchell Marsh’s side must beat Oman in their final group match on Friday and improve their net run rate beyond Ireland and Zimbabwe to reach the Super 8s. Australia slipped to a second successive loss in Group B, having previously been beaten by Zimbabwe after opening with victory against Ireland.
Marsh, playing his first match of the tournament after recovering from testicular bleeding, struck 54 from 27 balls in an opening stand of 104 with Travis Head, who made 56 from 29. However, Australia collapsed dramatically, losing their final five wickets for seven runs to be bowled out for 181.
Sri Lanka’s reply was driven by Nissanka, who made 100 not out from 52 balls, and Kusal Mendis, whose 51 from 38 helped establish a second wicket partnership of 97. Nissanka then accelerated alongside Pavan Rathnayake, who finished unbeaten on 28 from 15, as Sri Lanka chased down the target with 12 balls to spare.
The result made it three wins from three for Sri Lanka and confirmed their progress to Super 8s Group 2, where they are likely to join England and could be accompanied by New Zealand and Pakistan. Australia must now rely on other results while also winning their final match to have any chance of advancing.
Nissanka struck 10 fours and five sixes, reaching his hundred with a single to deep midwicket off leg spinner Adam Zampa. Rathnayake completed the chase a ball later by hitting Zampa for four.
Nissanka was named player of the match and also contributed in the field with a leaping catch at backward point to dismiss Glenn Maxwell off the bowling of Dushan Hemantha, who finished with figures of 3-27 and also removed Marsh and Head during a memorable victory for the hosts.