Australian captain Ricky Ponting will turn his attention to the upcoming Ashes series against England after his team was knocked out from the World Twenty20
Australian captain Ricky Ponting will turn his attention to the upcoming Ashes series against England after his team was knocked out from the World Twenty20.
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"My job starts now to focus on what lies ahead and look at areas where we can improve in Test cricket," said Ponting, who will lead Australia in the five-Test series starting next month.
Australia, the reigning Test and World Cup champions, were sent packing from the World Twenty20 after suffering a six-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in a crucial group C game at Trent Bridge on Monday.
It was Australia's fifth successive Twenty20 defeat, a fact that riles the proud Australian captain.
"It is always a concern when you lose five matches in a row," said Ponting.
"Going out of the tournament in the first round was very unexpected. We had very high expectations going into the competition and form in the practice matches was very good.
"We can't afford to make the mistakes we have made in the tournament. If you do it, good sides make you pay for it.
"It is a worrying trend. I wish I knew what is the reason for us not doing well in Twenty20 cricket.
"Our Test form is good, but there is obviously some thinking to do on where we are in Twenty20 cricket.
"It is very disappointing for reasons I can't understand. We seem to stumble in the big moments.
"On paper, our team probably stacks up as good as any team. Now there are new guys joining us for the Tests and we have to move on very quickly to focus on the Test matches ahead."
Australia, sent in to bat on an even-paced wicket, managed only 159-9 in good batting conditions as mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis and fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed three wickets each.
Mendis, who turns the ball both ways without a visible change in his bowling action, wrecked the top order in a match Australia had to win to stay in the competition after losing to the West Indies.
Malinga took care of the lower order as Australia collapsed to 94-6 in the 15th over, before David Hussey and Johnson led a late revival.
The pair put on 41 off 21 balls for the seventh wicket with Hussey hitting 28 off 22 balls and Johnson smashing 38 off 13 with two fours and as many sixes.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan then plundered 53 off 32 balls and skipper Kumar Sangakkara made an unbeaten 55 to fire Sri Lanka home with six deliveries to spare.
Jehan Mubarak hit 21 not out to keep his captain company till the end, which came when Mitchell Johnson sent down a wide off the first delivery of the final over.
Sri Lanka and the West Indies, who take the two Super Eights places from the group, play each other in the inconsequential last league match on Wednesday.
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