adminMAHELA Jayawardene strode beyond 11,000 ODI runs, he made enough at The Oval to leave Australia with an impossible task to elbow past Sri Lanka and New Zealand and so qualify for the Champions Trophy semi-finals. Sri Lanka’s innings flirted with mediocrity in the face of some diligent Australian bowling until Jayawardene’s delayed arrival, which signalled a late innings surge to 253 for 8. Lahiru Thirmanne had been promoted ahead of Jayawardene at an uncertain 20 for 2, and the switch allowed the senior man to make merry in the later overs against the older ball.
Both sides named unchanged line-ups for the match, Australia’s options reduced for the fixture by their captain Michael Clarke’s continued absence due to back trouble, while David Warner was ruled out by his suspension for punching Joe Root in a Birmingham pub after the opening match against England. -Cricinfo.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo