Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is teetering on the edge of disaster following a crushing eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Kandy on Monday.
A superb chase by Sri Lanka, thanks to an aggressive century from Pathum Nissanka, has left the 2021 champions needing a miracle to reach the Super Eight stage.
Batting first, Australia were all out for 181 in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka scored 184, losing two wickets in 18 overs.
Despite a blistering start that saw them reach 104 in just 8.3 overs, Australia collapsed spectacularly to 181 all out. Openers Travis Head scored 56 off 29 balls while Captain Mitchell Marsh struck a 27-ball 54. However, Australia failed to make meaningful partnerships after Sri Lanka removed both openers in the space of 13 balls. Cameron Green (3) and Tim David (6) fell cheaply. Although both Josh Inglish (27) and Glenn Maxwell (22) got starts, they failed to convert them into big scores. Remaining Aussie batters failed to reach double digits.
Dushan Hemantha claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka, while Dhushmantha Chameera picked up two, and Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Kamindu Mendis contributed a wicket each.
Although Sri Lanka lost opener Kushal Perera (1) in the second over, other opener Pathum Nissanka found the support of Kusal Mendis at the other end and hit balls all around the park. Nissanka got his unbeaten century in just 52 balls, clubbing 10 fours and five towering sixes. Mendis struck 51 off 38 balls, while Pavan Rathnayake scored a quickfire 28 off 15 balls.
Marcus Stoinis picked up both wickets for Australia.
How can Australia survive?
Australia’s second loss of the tournament (following a shock defeat to Zimbabwe) leaves them in a precarious position in Group B. To qualify, they must thrash Oman by a massive margin to improve their sagging net run rate and pray Ireland beat Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe boasts a superior net run rate of 1.984 compared to Australia’s 0.414.
Australia Captain Marsh said they failed to convert the opening stand into a big total. “It is a devastated group. We’re in the lap of the gods now, I think, with the way it’s shaped up,” he said. “There is a lot of emotion in the rooms right now. We have not been at our best.”
