The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Former T20 World Champions and hosts Sri Lanka have dumped another former winner, Australia, out of the tournament. The Wallabies, who were led by Mitch Marsh, came into this tournament in woeful form.

The six-time ODI World Champions were comprehensively beaten by 2009 World Champions, Pakistan, 3-0, in a three-match warm-up series for the World Cup. One problem for Marsh’s men was that in their squad, they lacked quality spinners.

Of course, Adam Zampa is one of the best in the business, but other sides have a couple of quality spinners. This is something the Australian think-tank will have to address.

Having said that, Australia did win the ODI World Cup in India, who are one of the co-hosts of the tournament. So, something else must not be right. Steve Smith, one of the in-form batsmen in the world, didn’t feature; he wasn’t in the squad.

A suspected injury to Marsh did see the 36-year-old get drafted in, but against Sri Lanka, Smith didn’t play. The players who were in the squad, in the playing 11, didn’t perform.

The inclusion of former Under-19 captain Cooper Connoly is a positive inclusion. The Perth Scorcher all-rounder is clearly a very talented player, but from 1-11, something just seemed .. off.

Marcus Stoinis, coming out of retirement, is not a good sign either. In his prime, Stoinis was one of the best at what he did, but especially with the BBL, surely there’s someone who could replace him?

Tim David, although he doesn’t bowl much, is a power hitter, but in this tournament, he hasn’t quite got going. As mentioned, he’s not been the only one. The former T20 World Champions are in an unwanted situation; they have to rely on teams doing them a favour.

On Friday, which is their last game, if the group phase at least, they will have to beat Oman, and beat them well. The Wallabies will be hoping Friday isn’t their last game of the tournament.