Lanka send Australia packing

Ireland show Bangladesh door, qualify for Super Eight in World T20

Meanwhile, in another match at Trent Bridge, Bangladesh were knocked out of the championship after a six-wicket loss to Ireland in a Group A match.

In the match against Australia, Dilshan and Sangakkara added 62 off 42 balls to set the tone for Sri Lanka’s entry to the Super Eight stage after Ajantha Mendis (3/20) and Lasith Malinga (3/36)restricted Australia to 159 for nine after they were invited to bat.
Australia, needing victory to keep their Super Eights hopes alive, were done in by Dilshan, who carried on from where he left off in the Indian Premier League, finding boundaries at will to reach his half-century in just 26 balls.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s (2) dismissal to a brilliant catch by David Warner off Brett Lee had little impact on the chase as Dilshan and Sangakkara brought up the 50 inside five overs.
Dilshan pulled, cut, drove and once audaciously lifted Shane Watson over wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for a four. He sprayed the ball all around the park, hitting 10 boundaries before his 32-ball innings was cut short by Michael Clarke. His first delivery clipped the bails and Dilshan returned to the pavilion for a well made 53.

Mahela Jayawardene (9) was next to follow and Sri Lanka hit a slump before Sangakkara kept his nerve and along with Jehan Mubarak’s 13-ball unbeaten 21, saw the team through with an over to spare.

Meanwhile, the brilliance of the O’Brien brothers and pacer Trent Johnston on Monday carried Ireland to the Super Eight stage after knocking Bangladesh out the tournament with a six-wicket win in a Group A match. Australian-born Johnston picked up three wickets for 20 in his opening spell to restrict Bangladesh to 137 for eight in 20 overs.
While chasing, the O’Brien brothers Niall and Kevin played crucial knocks as Ireland achieved the target with 10 balls to spare.

Man of the Match Niall O’Brien hit a flamboyant 40 off 25 balls while his sibling remained unbeaten on 39 off 17 balls as Ireland romped home. Bangladesh returned home while Ireland and India are the two teams from Group A to move to the Super Eight stage.