ST LUCIA — Australia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 were left hanging by a thread after a masterful, unbeaten century from Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka condemned them to a crushing eight-wicket defeat at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a daunting target of 202 set by Australia, Sri Lanka, already eliminated, played with fearless freedom. Nissanka’s sublime 100* off just 53 balls, featuring 12 fours and 4 sixes, powered the chase with clinical precision, handing Australia their second consecutive loss and leaving their tournament fate dependent on other results.
A Batting Onslaught Meets a Masterful Reply
Australia, put into bat, posted a formidable 201 for 7, built on the back of a powerful 81 from opener David Warner and a blistering 37 from captain Mitchell Marsh. The innings was characterized by aggressive intent from the outset, with Warner and Travis Head (31) setting a fiery platform. “We thought 200 was a good score on that wicket,” Marsh said post-match.
However, the Australian bowlers were met with an even more ferocious response. Nissanka, alongside fellow opener Kusal Mendis (25), launched a stunning assault, racing to 70/0 in the powerplay. The tone was set early, with Nissanka dispatching Mitchell Starc for three consecutive boundaries in the first over.
The key moments that swung the match decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor included:
- Powerplay Domination: Sri Lanka’s 70/0 was the highest powerplay score of the tournament, completely neutralizing Australia’s early attack.
- Nissanka’s Calculated Aggression: He expertly targeted the shorter boundaries, picking his bowlers and moments with impeccable judgment.
- The Drop: A crucial missed chance by Marcus Stoinis at deep mid-wicket when Nissanka was on 77 proved fatal.
- Partnership Stability: A 123-run stand with Mendis and an unbroken 79-run partnership with Charith Asalanka (42*) ensured no collapse.
Australia’s Bowling Strategy Unravels
Faced with an unprecedented chase, Australia’s vaunted bowling attack looked toothless. The plan to attack with pace backfired on a true surface with quick outfield. Starc and Josh Hazlewood conceded 74 runs from their combined 7 overs. Adam Zampa, usually a wicket-taking threat in the middle, was neutralized by Nissanka’s proactive sweeping and use of the feet.
Mitchell Marsh was left to rue the execution and the missed opportunity. “We were outplayed tonight, no doubt about that. Full credit to Pathum, it was an incredible innings,” the Australian captain conceded. The lack of a viable sixth bowling option was also exposed as part-time bowlers Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were targeted.
The NRR Blow and the Precarious Table
Beyond the loss of two points, the manner of the defeat delivered a potentially fatal blow to Australia’s Net Run Rate (NRR). The comprehensive nature of Sri Lanka’s win, achieved with 18 balls to spare, severely damaged Australia’s NRR, which is now inferior to both Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the tight Group 1.
The equation for Australia is now stark and out of their hands. They must win their final Super 8 match against India and hope that Afghanistan loses to Bangladesh. Even then, NRR calculations could come into play, a scenario they desperately wanted to avoid. “We have to win and win well, and then see what happens elsewhere,” a dejected Marsh added.
Nissanka’s Innings for the Ages
The undisputed story of the night was Pathum Nissanka. His century, the first by a Sri Lankan in men’s T20 World Cups, was a chanceless masterpiece of timing and power. He never allowed the required rate to climb, consistently finding the boundary to keep the pressure firmly on Australia. His celebration upon reaching the milestone, removing his helmet and soaking in the applause, encapsulated a personal and national triumph.
Sri Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga, while disappointed with the team’s earlier exit, praised the fight. “This is the cricket we know we can play. Pathum was brilliant, and we showed our character,” he said.
A Tournament on the Brink for Australia
For Australia, the defeat marks a dramatic stumble in their title defense. After a dominant group stage, back-to-back losses to Afghanistan and now Sri Lanka have left them in a perilous position. Questions will be asked about the bowling strategy, fielding lapses, and the team’s ability to adapt when plans A and B are dismantled.
The team now faces a must-win clash against a formidable Indian side, knowing even victory may not be enough. Their destiny is intertwined with the result in St. Vincent, where an Afghan win over Bangladesh would send Australia home regardless of their own result against India.
As the Sri Lankan players celebrated a proud farewell from the tournament, the Australian camp was left to contemplate a World Cup campaign that has spectacularly unraveled in the space of a few days, with Pathum Nissanka’s glorious hundred the defining blow that may have ended their reign as champions.