The Serve

Aussies crush Sri Lanka

Australia has crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in Cape Town to move into the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Championship.

Missing captain Ricky Ponting, Australia’s bowlers were awesome. In conditions that suited the quick’s, Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken made short work of the Sri Lankan top order.

The prized wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya was claimed by Lee, LBW for a duck.

Sri Lanka never recovered from 3/11, at one point slumping to 7/43. Stuart Clark mesmerized the middle order, finishing with 4/20 off 4.

Jehan Mubarak and Chaminda Vaas were the only shining lights for Sri Lanka, putting on 38 in a brief respite.

Shane Watson removed Mubarak for 28, but the Queenslander appeared to struggle with the hamstring injury that has plagued him for years.

Watson’s tournament is in doubt.

Lee finished with 2/27 off 4, Bracken 2/14 off 3.3 overs.

The miniscule target of 102 was never going to trouble the world test and one-day champions.

Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden monstered the bowling, especially Hayden. Both batsmen faced 44 balls, Gilchrist scoring 31 not out and Hayden unbeaten on 58.

The target was achieved in 10.2 overs, with Australia guaranteeing themselves a place in the final four.

“Our fast bowlers were outstanding. We created a lot of chances, and took all bar one,” said stand in skipper Gilchrist.

“I think that wicket is getting very tired.

“To chase (a big target) on that wicket would have been difficult.

Australia needed to beat England in the preliminary stages to advance to the super eight stage, with tonight’s victory the second must-win game the Aussies have faced this fortnight.

“We’re just happy we’re into the cutthroat part of the competition now,” Gilchrist said.

“There would have been a lot of teams would have been happy to see us go out today.”

“Hopefully they’re a little bit nervous now.”