New Delhi: Two devastating defeats have put Australia on the brink of exit from the T20 World Cup but skipper Mitchell Marsh still hopes of advancing to the super eight stage.
They slumped to an eight-wicket
loss in Pallekele as Sri Lanka chased down a record target of 182 with two overs to spare.
The 2021 champions had lost to Zimabwe earlier and now must rely on Ireland to beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday, and then need Sri Lanka to knock out the Zimbabweans on Thursday.
A win against Oman after favourable results in these two matches would only ensure their progress in the tournament.
"There's still a chance. But yeah, what do you say? The luck of the Irish," Marsh told reporters in Kandy, as quoted by Reuters.
Marsh struck an aggressive half century but after his dismissal the Aussies lost wickets at regular intevals and were unable to capitalse on a quick start.
Marsh believed 181 was a competitive total but agreed that they were outplayed by the hosts, for whom ppener Pathum Nissanka struck a 52-ball 100.
"I thought it was a competitive total. We probably left ourselves a few short after the start we had. Well played to Sri Lanka, they outplayed us tonight. We know that at our best we can make big scores. We just lost our way towards the back end," March said.
Injury woes, selection issues
Australia have been depleted by injuries with absence of their frontline pace trio of the now retired Mitchell Starc and injures Jos Hazlewood and Pat Cummins weighing too heavy on the team.
"Sri Lanka bowled really well towards the back end. We knew we were a few short. Not much else to say except that SL outplayed us. We're in the lap of the dogs now I think. Lot of emotions in the room right now. Haven't been at our best. Disappointed bunch at the moment," Marsh said.
Selections calls have also been questiones as Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw were not fielded against Sri Lanka with Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis and Tim
David unable to reached single figures in defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Australia's campaign was "doomed from the get-go", felt former batter Mark Waugh.
"I just think they've got the selections completely wrong and to have your best player by 100 yards sitting on the sideline in Steve Smith ... I think it’s an insult to Steve Smith, to be honest," Waugh told SEN radio on Tuesday.
