By ICF Staff
June 10 2009

In a stunning blow to Australian cricket ahead of the upcoming Ashes, Australia has been knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the first round by Sri Lanka.

The holders of the ODI World Cup would not have anticipated being knocked out of the World Cup in the opening league stage.

But that is precisely what has happened, following their losses to the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the first round.

Ricky Ponting and several other Australians had made a big deal about dropping out of the second season of IPL, where some of their retired compatriots such as Adam Glichrist, Matt Hayden and Shane Warne had performed very well. Even the controversial Andrew Symonds, perhaps the best T20 player in their squad but ousted due to disciplinary issues, had done a good job there.

The humiliation of their early exit from the World Cup was rubbed in by English media, despite the host team themselves squeaking by the opening round after having been defeated by newbies Netherlands. This cannot bode well for the competitiveness of the upcoming Ashes.

Insult was added to injury when the Australian team was fined for a slow over rate in the match against Sri Lanka which led to their ignominious exit.

Now they will bide the extra time on their hands by playing obscure English teams which have nothing to gain from preparing them for their upcoming Test series.

Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 10/06/2009 18:46

Indian Cricket Fever
10/06/2009 18:46

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anu_d
10/06/2009 20:17

Maan I told ya.....it's punitive intervention from the divine

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Birbal
10/06/2009 21:18

Always thought Punter was exceedingly lucky in having World Class players like Warne, McGrath, Hayden, and Gilchrist... around when he took over captaincy...

T20 is requires a mind razor sharp... hence, guys like Warne, Kumble, Gilly etc. have done well... Punter is a dim bulb...

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Birbal
11/06/2009 17:37

Australia....HAAHAHAHAAHAAA...

The Jokers that got removed from the deck...

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Birbal
13/06/2009 19:08

Ricky Ponting needs to be replaced as T20 Captain... ASAP...he is not smart enough to captain in this format of the game...

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Spirit of Cricket
13/06/2009 20:58

Ponting doesn't have the smarts to captain any form of the game really. Clarke's already tipped to get T20 captaincy, but Ponting may find himself in trouble in ODI as well.

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