Australia out of T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland rained off

Australia have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was washed out.

With each side taking a point from the rained-off match it means Australia, who have two points, can no longer catch Zimbabwe, on five, even if they win their final match against Oman on Friday.

The writing was on the wall for Australia after they lost first to Zimbabwe and then Sri Lanka and had to bank on Ireland beating Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

Even then, Australia would have needed Sri Lanka, who have already qualified for the Super Eight phase, to knock out Zimbabwe on Thursday to stay alive ahead of the final group match against Oman.

But persistent rain in Kandy meant there was no play at all and the match was abandoned at 5.30pm local time.

It is the first time Australia have been knocked out of a World Cup at the group stage, in either the T20 or ODI formats, since 2009. Their only victory was over Ireland, who were also eliminated by the washout. (The Guardian)