10 May 2010

Australian cricketers close in on semi-finals

10:02 am on 10 May 2010

The Australian cricketers have taken a big step towards the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals after an 81-run win over Sri Lanka in Barbados.

The Australians were in trouble at 67 for five before Cameron White led an extraordinary fightback with an unbeaten 85 off 49 balls which dominated their total of 168 for five.

White smashed six sixes and six fours in an explosive innings that put pressure on Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka opener Mahela Jaywardene, the tournament's top scorer, failed for the first time and his team collapsed to 87 all out against the relentless Australian attack.

Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of three for 15 from 3.2 overs.

Australia, who top Group F with four points, need only to avoid a heavy defeat by the West Indies on Wednesday in St. Lucia to go through to the semi-finals.

In this morning's other match the West Indies beat India by 14 runs.

So Australia have 4 points, Sri Lanka and West Indies 2 and India none.

Tomorrow in the other group New Zealand play England and South Africa play Pakistan.