Australia are out of the T20 World Cup in an embarrassing group-stage exit after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was rained off.
The 2021 world champions have failed to reach the Super 8 stage for the first time in 17 years, having lost two of their first three group matches.
Their exit guarantees Zimbabwe’s place in the Super 8 stage alongside Sri Lanka, and means that Ireland, alongside Australia and Oman, will not progress from Group B.
More to follow…
How Australia crashed out of the T20 World Cup
After a comprehensive 67-run win over Ireland in their opening match, two successive losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka took the Baggy Greens’ tournament out of their control.
Injury and selection issues have surrounded Australia’s campaign, with captain Mitch Marsh only featuring once, with the decision not to replace him with Steve Smith coming under fire from legendary batter Mark Waugh.
“I think that the whole campaign was doomed from the get-go with selection issues and injuries,” Waugh said on SEN radio in Australia.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Zimbabwe’s Tony Munyonga takes a stunning catch in the field to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis in his team’s win over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup.
“To me, the non-selection of Steve Smith in the squad originally is the most baffling non-selection I can remember for ages.
Australia’s bowling has suffered from similar injury and selection issues as their batting. Australia have taken four wickets in their last two games – a staggering figure for a side that usually boasts one of the best bowling attacks in world cricket.
Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20 cricket, alongside injuries to Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, meant the Baggy Greens had to face their first international tournament without a single one of their world champion fast-bowling trio in a decade.
Their absence was doubtless felt most when Pathum Nissanka stormed to his 100 off 52 balls for Sri Lanka to put the nail in Australia’s coffin.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, advance to the Super 8s stage with a flawless start, matching their best ever World Cup performance in 2022.
Watch every game from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports Cricket, including the competition final on Sunday March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
