T20 World Cup 2026: Former champions Australia knocked out of Super Eights

Australia players look on as they await the umpire’s decision during an LBW appeal in their league match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Monday. Pic/Getty Images

Former champions Australia were knocked out, as Zimbabwe secured their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights after their third group match against Ireland here on Tuesday was abandoned due to rain.

Both teams got a point each, which helped Zimbabwe reach five points, thus eliminating 2021 champions, Australia, reaching the next round, as, even if they win their last match, they can only get to four points, while Sri Lanka already top Group B with six and Zimbabwe have five.

Mark Waugh

A couple of days after being stunned by Zimbabwe, the Australians lost to Sri Lanka on Monday. Batting first, the Aussies were bowled out for 181 after which a brilliant century, 52-ball 100 not out by opener Pathum Nissanka saw Sri Lanka win by eight wickets.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh admitted that his team was outplayed. "Well played to Sri Lanka, they outplayed us tonight. Haven't been at our best. Disappointed bunch at the moment," Marsh said moments after the defeat to SL.

Former Australia opener Mark Waugh blamed the selectors for Australia's poor show. "The non-selection of Steve Smith in the squad originally is baffling. You've got a guy, who has looked a class above everybody in the BBL. He's an outstanding fieldsman, a great player of spin. He should've been picked first, but he wasn't picked in the squad. Then, he wasn't even picked as a replacement, and then they've got him over there, and still haven't played him. It's an insult to Steve Smith," Waugh told SENQ Breakfast.

Waugh was also baffled that Matt Renshaw was left out after his scores of 37 and 65 in Australia's first two games: "Then you've got Matt Renshaw, who looks like he's one of the few players in form, and he's left out of the big game last night. Look at the selections. Look at Maxwell, Connolly, Green and Inglis; these guys are all out of form."

2009
The year Australia last failed to progress past the group stage of the T20 World Cup

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