Defending champions Australia will have to put David Warner's bar brawl controversy behind when they face Sri Lanka in their final league fixture in London on Monday to decide the last of the remaining ICC Champions Trophy semi-final places.
It will be a virtual quarterfinal clash between the two sides at The Oval.
Australia have just one point from two games, starting their campaign with a defeat to England and then having their game against New Zealand washed out.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka started with a loss to New Zealand. Sri Lankan batsmen gave a better account of themselves in their stunning run chase against England to romp home against the hosts. Led by Kumar Sangakkara's unbeaten 134, they chased down the 294-run target with relative ease to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
For Australia, it would not just be about tackling the threat posed by Malinga but also to regroup in after Warner's altercation with England batsman Joe Root.
Australia's regular skipper Michael Clarke continues to battle back problems but is hopeful of returning to action. It will be a big test for stand-in skipper George Bailey to turn Australia's fortunes around.
Australia bowlers Clint McKay, James Faulkner and Shane Watson need to add more sting to their attack against the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
It will be a virtual quarterfinal clash between the two sides at The Oval.
Australia have just one point from two games, starting their campaign with a defeat to England and then having their game against New Zealand washed out.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka started with a loss to New Zealand. Sri Lankan batsmen gave a better account of themselves in their stunning run chase against England to romp home against the hosts. Led by Kumar Sangakkara's unbeaten 134, they chased down the 294-run target with relative ease to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
For Australia, it would not just be about tackling the threat posed by Malinga but also to regroup in after Warner's altercation with England batsman Joe Root.
Australia's regular skipper Michael Clarke continues to battle back problems but is hopeful of returning to action. It will be a big test for stand-in skipper George Bailey to turn Australia's fortunes around.
Australia bowlers Clint McKay, James Faulkner and Shane Watson need to add more sting to their attack against the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
NEWS SOURCE:http://indiatoday.intoday.in
0 comments:
Post a Comment