Tag Aus v SL - WCT20 - 8 June 09

Cricket is a team game, no doubt, but absense of proven performers leave a void teams rarely fill overnight.

Andrew Symonds, Australia all rounder and one of the best T20 cricketer on Earth today, was sent home just 48 hours before this 2009 T20 World cup tournament started. Why? Team decipline not followed. This wasn't the first team meeting that Symonds had missed for alchohol and hence, Aussie committe decided enough and enough. Queensland cricketer packed his bag and flew back where he won't have to oblidge any conditions he don't want to at this tricky point of his life.

Symonds' exit left a gap in Aussie side in all 3 departments = batting, bowling and fielding. and, not to mention 'sledging' which Symonds was a master at. Resultant : West Indies hammered weakened Australian side in their first game, chasing 170 with 4.1 overs to spare and sending team from down under into a must win situation against another tough team = Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka vs Australia, scheduled for 8th June at Trent Bridge, will be first outing for Lankan tigers after two not so impressive warm-up games. Sri Lanka flattered against South Africans and were unimpressive against Bangladesh, although they won.

Kumar Sangakkara is yet to show his command on field, rallying his troups at exact positions were they can be most effective. A consistent left handed batsman himself, Sangakkara has also failed in that department since he has become Sri Lankan captain after Mahela Jayawardene quit it.

Watch out for :-

Sri Lankan spin duo of Muthiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. along with slinging Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka have three trump cards in their bowling which will be a challenge for Aussies to negotiate well.

Hussey Brothers, Michael and David have shown good form upto this point in the tournament, while Shane Watson has failed. it will be interesting to see if this right handed allrounder cum openers gives himself enough balls before plays shots tonight or not!

Weather report : is fine and clear for Trent Bridge ground which is in Nottingham in UK. So, we should have a full game of 40 overs.