Match 8: Australia Vs Sri Lanka: Will Aussies enter Super Eight?
Ricky Ponting and his team will have a tough task ahead on Monday to perform or face an embarrassing early exit from the World Twenty20 when they take on emotionally-charged Sri Lanka.
West Indies have stunned the Australians with the seven wicket defeat on Saturday and they cannot afford to lose the match against Sri Lanka
Even if they win, Ponting’s men are not assured of advancing to the Super Eights because a Sri Lankan win over the West Indies on Wednesday will throw up a three-way tie to be decided by net run-rate.
Australia suffered a shock defeat by Zimbabwe in the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, but still managed to reach the semi-finals where they lost to champions India.
Sri Lanka will be charged up for their first international match since the horrific terror attack on their team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore in March.
Kumar Sangakkara, leading Sri Lanka for the first time after good friend Mahela Jayawardene quit the job after the Pakistan tour, said the team looked forward to the game against Australia.
Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Cameron White, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (c), Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, Farveez Maharoof, Jehan Mubarak, Indika de Saram.
Tags: australia vs Sri Lanka, ICC T20 World Cup, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, T20 world cup 2009, T20 World Cup News
