Under-fire Australia left to rely on others to avoid humiliating exit at T20 World Cup

  • Selectors under fire after Steve Smith unused against Sri Lanka

  • Fate now rests with Ireland and Sri Lanka beating Zimbabwe

Australia’s aura as a white-ball heavyweight has all but petered out in the space of two disastrous defeats at the T20 World Cup where the absence of their champion fast bowlers has been ruthlessly exposed.

Following an abject 23-run defeat to world No 11 Zimbabwe, Australia crashed to an eight-wicket loss to co-hosts Sri Lanka in Kandy on Monday to be pushed to the brink of a humiliating exit.

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Brilliant Sri Lanka leave Australia on brink of T20 World Cup elimination

  • Stunning ton by Pathum Nissanka seals hosts’ run chase

  • Australia need Ireland to beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday

Australia could be out of the T20 World Cup before they even play their final first round group match after a stunning fightback by Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Returning captain Mitch Marsh and a revived Travis Head looked to have set Australia on course for a victory that would have kept their tournament hopes alive as they smashed a century-plus opening stand at more than two-runs-a-ball.

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England beat Italy by 24 runs: T20 World Cup cricket – as it happened

England get over the line against a spirited Italy thanks to Will Jacks’ half century and miserly bowling from Sam Curran and Jamie Overton

Alistair Connor writes in and wants to know, “what’s the record of this Italian side against ... Scotland?”

Hmmm. Well, according to a quick Google search, they’ve played each other once with Scotland winning by 73 runs.

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