COLOMBO:
The 2021 champions Australia had been knocked out of the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with Zimbabwe qualifying for the Tremendous Eights after their match in opposition to Eire was washed out with no ball being bowled in Kandy.
Zimbabwe joined Sri Lanka as qualifiers from Group B and can transfer on to face the West Indies, India and South Africa within the subsequent part. Eire had been additionally eradicated.
Persistent drizzle all day on the Pallekelle stadium stored the covers on and the umpires lastly referred to as it off at 5:30 pm native time (1200 GMT) with no prospect of starting the minimal five-over match earlier than the 6:10 pm cut-off time.
Australia, who had been overwhelmed by Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, wanted an Eire victory to maintain their hopes alive.
Zimbabwe are actually on an unassailable 5 factors with a recreation to nonetheless to return, whereas Eire are third on three factors.
Australia, on two factors, have one recreation remaining in opposition to Oman on Friday, however can’t overtake Zimbabwe.
Australia had a shambolic build-up to the event
They misplaced main tempo bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to harm, whereas captain Mitchell Marsh missed the primary two video games after being hit within the groin in coaching and struggling testicular bleeding
Take a look at nice Steve Smith was not noted regardless of being in terrific type prime of the order within the Large Bash League and his experience in taking part in in opposition to spin bowling.
Vibrant followers
He flew in as cowl final week and was formally added to the Australia squad on the weekend.
However then he was not noted for the must-win recreation in opposition to Sri Lanka on Monday which noticed an Australia middle-order collapse as they misplaced by eight wickets.
Zimbabwe captain Skiander Raza hailed his facet’s achievement in reaching the final eight, however warned there have been more durable battles to return.
“We have now come this far. We are going to rejoice however we now have a recreation in opposition to Sri Lanka to return,” mentioned Raza.
“That is solely a tick within the field and this isn’t the one factor that we set out for. Everybody loves an underdog story.”
Eire skipper Lorcan Tucker was downcast after his facet didn’t get to play.
“Clearly very upset to exit on this style, however fully uncontrollable,” mentioned Tucker.
“Our batting failed. There have been large moments within the event notably in opposition to Sri Lanka after we dropped so many catches.
“Hopefully, we’ll deal with these robust conditions in a different way transferring ahead.”
The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of a hearty and vibrant band of about two dozen Zimbabwe followers, who danced and sang all through the damp afternoon to serenade their crew’s qualification.
“I can let you know, whichever nook they’re sitting at, at any floor, they will be the loudest, they usually have the songs,” mentioned Raza of the followers.
“They only hold the vibe. They hold lifting us up when their energies are down — and on this climate, it may be typically.
“However after we hear them to push us on and we all know the songs as effectively, it provides us that vitality as effectively.”
