Sorry guys,

At least you have an additional 2 weeks to prepare for the ASHES!

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09062009/ ... -loss.html






Australia crashed out of the World Twenty20 after Sri Lanka chased down 160 to win by six wickets at Trent Bridge.

As a result, Sri Lanka and West Indies progress from Group C to the final eight of the tournament at the expense of Australia.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara led his side to victory with an unbeaten 55, while Tillakaratne Dilshan was in destructive form at the top of the order, compiling 53 before he was bowled by Michael Clarke.

The wicketkeeper brought up his half-century with an audacious flick past Brad Haddin after Nathan Bracken had strayed down the leg side, and looked composed in timing the run chase to perfection.

Jehan Mubarak gave the Sri Lanka innings much-needed impetus at the climax of the match, striking two emphatic sixes in a 12-ball 21 which took the pressure off his captain at the death.

Earlier, Ajantha Mendis had starred in the field, finishing with figures of 3-20 from his four overs, turning the ball both ways with subtle varieties and pinpoint accuracy which bemused Australia's top order.

Lasith Malinga bowled three spells in all, taking three wickets at the cost of 36 runs, including two from the final over of the innings.

Australia recovered from 79-5 to post 159 from their 20 overs with fine performances from their lower order in the final five overs.

After David Warner was out third ball, Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting found a flurry of runs before the latter was clean bowled by Mendis for 25.

Australia sent in their floater-batsman Haddin above Michael Clarke at number four due to his prowess at facing spin, and the wicketkeeper found the mid-wicket boundary with a six before being bowled emphatically by Malinga for 16.

Mendis trapped Watson in front, but the batsman was given a reprieve with umpire Nigel Llong ruling that it pitched outside off stump, with replays suggesting the spinner was unlucky.

The Australia wicketkeeper went on to the back foot and was caught out by a deft slower ball by Malinga which scattered his stumps when on 16.

Isuru Udana took his first international wicket with a stunning one-handed catch off his own bowling, diving low to his left to dismiss Clarke for 11 as the innings petered out.

Mitchell Johnson - who scored an unbeaten 28 - David Hussey and Brett Lee staged a late resurgence at the end of the Australia innings to reach 159, but it was never enough to leave their opponents stretched in their run chase.

The defeat leaves Ponting's side with an abundance of time to prepare for the Ashes, while Sri Lanka proved that their much-vaunted bowling attack can produce against the best.

LOL, day of mourning here mate.

The day I care about Twenty 20 is when cricket is officially dead to me.

Yeah it's nothing really. A good arena to blood young'uns.

And We were never going to win. We've played rubbish recently.

We don't know how to play Twenty20. Well those choosing and playing for Australia don't.

Lee and Mike Hussey shouldn't be there. We don't choose or play enough spinners. All the other teams know their importance and accuracy.

And we keep choosing the same players generally for all forms of the game who then need to be rested and don't get practice in each form.

And we need more sloggers than the stroke playing of Clarke and Ponting. Reckon Hayden, Gilly or Warne could've been good. But if going for new blood, bloody pick new blood. Warner and Dave Hussey and the only Twenty20 specialists we picked and they weren't disgraced.

I'd prefer to lose to sides such as the Windies and Sri Lanka than those world powerhouses of cricket - the Dutch.

Wow did i just say i'd prefer to lose? It must be my part-pommy genes taking over.

now, now.....Aussies were poor against the WI's, didn't know how to play against Gayle and lost wickets on the cheap. SL are world class with this form of the game and just beat your guys comfortably.

T20 has been a breath of fresh air, only those who do not understand the concept of the game think it is a bore. IMHO!

Understand the concept of the game? Cricket to me has always been about building a sizeable run tally without throwing wickets away. Its a game of choosing your shots not going out and trying to slog every ball for six. I also like one dayers because their is still a need for strategy, choosing when your bowlers come on etc

Twenty20 is a blight on a beautiful game complete with music being played between balls and talking to the fielders. It's a gimmick and to quote a racist politician "I Don't like it"

Blimey mate got enough excusese in there! we don't know how to play, we didn't pick the right side, we need more sloggers.......and the Poms are supposed to be the whingers? My favourite bit though is 'they weren't disgraced', keep 'em coming Davros this is hilarious!

Oh and Pasty, sure you would mate, sure you would.

They are not excuses. They are reasons why we lost. Now before you put that laughing icon on again numerous times, let me explain the difference.

They are reasons because they are saying why we lost but apportioning the blame to the Australian team and selectors.

Excuses and whinging (yes, you are right, Poms are whingers ) are apportioning blame to something else like the weather, the ref or luck. Much like saying Jarryd Hayne's try was ligit.

Oh excuses, excuses.

Checkmate. I think he's got you Davros.

Bring on the Ashes series. Then we'll show you Poms how to play cricket . Looking forwaed to the series as I get to swear at Paul alot.

BITE ME 3-1 to the ENGLISH.Ashes back where they BELONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you know your dad shags your mum in the spa? Hope that gives you vivid images and you'll learn to be nice to me.
ps I bet shes a groaner