Australia demolish Sri Lanka

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Australia rode the momentum of a rescue operation led by Cameron White to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup, with an 81-run victory over Sri Lanka yesterday.

White slammed half-dozen fours and half-dozen sixes in 85 from 49 balls, as Australia, choosing to bat, recovered from a shaky start to reach 168 for five from their allocation of 20 overs in the eighth Super Eight match.

Australia's bowlers - led by Mitchell Johnson - then exploited another hard, true Kensington Oval pitch to dismiss Sri Lanka for 87 in 16.2 overs, and hand their side their second straight victory of the Super Eights.

Johnson bowled Ajantha Mendis for two to bring the match to a close, and finished with three wickets for 15 runs from 3.2 overs.

The victory moves Australia to the top of Group F with maximum four points, following their 49-run victory over India in their first Super Eight match.

It sets up a thrilling climax to the Super Eights against West Indies tomorrow at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, with the hosts needing a solid victory to earn a place in the Final Four ahead of the Sri Lankans.

White came to the crease with Australia 30 for four in the seventh over, after Suraj Randiv and Angelo Mathews ran through his side's top-order batting. He dominated an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 101 with Mike Hussey that put Australia in a favourable position. Left-hander Hussey hit four fours and one six in 39 not out from 26 balls.

The Aussies then reduced the Sri Lankans to 49 for five in the seventh over, and unlike their opponents, they succeeded in making sure there was no fightback.