Australia defeat Sri Lanka in rain-hit tie
Australia have defeated Sri Lanka by 24 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Melbourne after rain forced the abandonment of the ninth match in the Commonwealth Bank series. The result means that the Sri Lankans now have to triumph in their final two matches to reach the final whilst they also have to rely on Australia defeating India.
The hosts had already qualified for the final courtesy of India's win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
The game was evenly poised with Sri Lanka on 79 for four in the 30th over chasing a total of 185 before the rain, which has blighted the tournament, fell again over Melbourne.
Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey were Australia's saviours, constructing a 90-run partnership, to boost an Australian innings that was wobbling on 54 for four after 22 overs.
Usually ferocious starters Australia struggled to 24 for one after ten overs, batsmen-wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist dismissed for just six, clean-bowled by Chaminda Vaas.
Ricky Ponting soon followed chasing a suicidal single allowing Farveez Mahmood the easy opportunity to run out the Aussie skipper. Ponting has suffered such a dismal series that his disappointing 11 improved his series average.
Matthew Hayden and the dangerous Andrew Symonds soon followed and Mahmood, who conceded at seven an over against India on Thursday, ended with figures of two for 20 from his ten over spell.
Fortunately for the home side a middle order revival rescued a stuttering innings, Clarke's half century and Hussey's 64, dragging Australia to 184 for 7 at the end of their innings.
On the same pitch less than a fortnight ago, Australia only managed to post 159, a tally that was finally overhauled by India but Sri Lanka had little success in repeating a similar feat.
Sanath Jayasuriya was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Stuart Clark and the pace bowler also claimed the wicket of Dilurwan Perera, playing his first game of the tour, to leave Sri Lanka reeling on three for two.
Kumar Sangakkara and captain Mahela Jayawardine steadied the ship without failing to build significant innings, and were out for 22 and 27 respectively, with their slow scoring rate ensuring that Australia also picked up a bonus point as a consequence of their victory.
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