Australia T20 World Cup exit did not leave on a dramatic downfall or a last over exit, it was the defiant drizzle in Pallekele which gently extinguished their quest. It was a steadied-down war between Ireland and Zimbabwe where even the toss could not be drawn was a lost opportunity, and Zimbabwe was awarded the essential point which it required and Australia was mathematically ruled out of next-round entry.
To start with, the formula was hard but unforgiving. Australia had to ensure that things turned out to their advantage in other parts of the field, and it had previously experienced failures in Group B. Nonetheless, after Ireland and Zimbabwe has shared the points accredited to Ireland as a result of the relentless rain, Zimbabwe scored to a five-point mark which is higher than the maximum mark that Australia can have. Since Sri Lanka had already passed through because of their win in the match against Australia, the two participants of the Super Eight in the group were declared without their ball being thrown any more.
The exit of Australia in T 20 World Cup highlights the fact that there is a thin line between tournament cricket. Australia are left with another match with Oman in Pallekele but this time they will only be a dead rubber. A resounding victory cannot change their destiny. Early exit by a team that went into the tournament as one of the favorites is a major blow.
Still, it must be credited to Zimbabwe which maximized their opportunities during the group stage. Zimbabwe lost the T20 world cup contests against Australia and did not lose when it was most needed and this was due to its discipline and tactical game awareness. Their advancements to the Super Eight are not entailed just by rain fortune but with their performance in stress.
The contribution of Sri Lanka to the group development should not be overlooked, as well. Their triumph over Australia was qualitative and in effect controlled their fate and ensured qualification on merit. That victory saw them earn one of the most sought after Super Eight spots, and Australia has to depend on external fortune.
Zimbabwe will now take the seeded position (X2) in next stage of Australia in its place. That has them in a workload of Super Eight in West Indies in Mumbai on February 23, India in Chennai on February 26 and South Africa in Delhi on March 1. It is an impressive line up, but Zimbabwe will be very confident as it makes it through Group B.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be carrying on their campaign back home, where they will have to do with England and New Zealand, and who their third opponent will be, is yet to be ascertained. To the hosts, momentum and home advantage might be critical at the next stage.
The loss at the Australia T20 world cup also provokes larger questions concerning training and flexibility. The subcontinental weather complications are an inevitable aspect of the subcontinental tournament or in this case, Sri Lanka at this period of the year. The outlook of Pallekele in the next decade is that it is likely to receive more rain which would most likely affect future matches.
However even though weather was a determining factor in the defeat of Australia, their previous performances exposed them to vulnerability. The development of the tournament is not very dependent on a game that was washed out; it is more of an accumulated outcome. Australia would have gotten an inconvenience instead of a blow to the head, had Australia gotten more points at earlier stages.
Lastly, there is the issue of professional pride. The last group match in Australia is played against Oman which is the chance to seek a good ending although the progress is not possible anymore. A win may not continue to roll in this competition but regaining confidence and rectifying tactical deficiencies will play a critical role before entering the international commitments.
Finally, the withdrawal of the T20 world cup in Australia is a lesson on the fact that international events require uniformity, strength, and a certain factor of luck. Zimbabwe had their opportunity, Sri Lanka had theirs, and the only ones looking at the rain to decide their fate were the Australians. With the Super Eight phase underway, there will be different fights to think about – but in the case of Australia, this campaign will be a scenario that was lost both on the field and under grey skies.
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