FADING CRICKET GIANTS KNOCKED OUT OF ICC T-20

Australia winner of three world cups, one champion’s trophy and the owner of No.1 spot have now failed to qualify even for a super 8 spot in the mega T-20event. This defeat will hurt them till years, not because they lost, the way they have lost .Sri Lanka playing their first match in tournament won the toss and put Australia into bat. The kangaroos were starring down the barrel from the very first over with David Warner getting out for a 3 ball duck. Watson and Ponting then took the attack to the bowlers until Mendis appeared in the scene. This spelled disaster for Aussies, lost Ponting to Mendis and then never got going. Watson too followed suit in his next over. Malinga then bowled a slower one which rattled the stumps and it was now Haddin’s turn to head back. Clarke too didn’t last much either got out to an excellent reflex catch by new comer Udana. The Hussey’s brothers ticked the scoreboard on for a brief period before Mendis got Hussey cheaply. David Hussey was trying his best and Johnson came in and provided some impetus to the Australian innings. Aussies suddenly looked to get more than 150 and Brett lee joined the party with 15 off 5 balls and few lower order contributions helped them to pile on 159/9 a far outcry from the position they were previously in.Mendis and Malinga picked three wickets apiece while Murali couldn't pick any.



Jayasuriya and Dilshan opened the account for the Lankan reply.Dilshan batted like a champion and looked in ominous form while Jayasuriya was taking his time to settle in. But he was sent back by Brett Lee with Warner taking an athletic catch.Sangakkara and Dilshan ensured no further hiccups and gained control over an under strength Australian attack. Dilshan completed a strokeful fifty in 26 balls until Clarke bowled him out. Jayawardene couldn’t spend enough time either in the middle and gave his wicket to the impressive Nathan Hauritz.Australia looked like pulling them back with the wicket of Chamara Silva too but the calm and composed Sangakkara was too good to allow the kangaroos to snatch this one.Mubarak and the newly appointed captain ensured a comprehensive 6 wicket win with an over to spare. This probably marks the death of a domination lasted probably over 2 decades.