While Sri Lankan bowler Chaminda Vaas led an impressive bowling performance as Sri Lanka restricted Australia to 212 for seven wickets in 50 overs, the Lankans seemed to crumble under the Aussie bowling attack.
Sri Lanka fell to 49 for 4 with after only 13 overs.
Earlier, Vaas, with an opening spell of 7-0-24-2, seemed to give the Lankans an excellent chance of qualifying for Sunday’s final as the Aussie batsmen again failed to deliver at St George’s Park.
Only allrounder Andrew Symonds showed the patience to handle the situation as he compiled an excellent 91 not out from 118 balls (seven fours, one six) to hold the Aussie innings together.
After three wickets had fallen for 51, Symonds and Darren Lehmann (36) added 93 in 24 overs and in the closing overs, Andy Bichel (19 not out off 21 balls) helped Symonds put on 37 runs in six overs to boost the final total.
Vaas ended with three for 34, while veteran spinners Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva each claimed two wickets as they effectively tied down the Aussie batsmen. – Sapa