Lankans drive out Aussies out of Champions Trophy with 20-run victory

Australia's trouble-plagued campaign of the ICC Champions Trophy had come to an end after they were defeated for 20 runs by Sri Lanka at The Oval on Monday.

Sri Lanka, who needed a win to remain in the competition, rode on aggressive half-centuries from Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne to score 253-8 after being sent in to bat, bowling out the Australians for 233 in 42.3 overs, Telegraph.com.au reports.

According to the report, Sri Lanka and England finished level with four points each, but the hosts topped the group due to a superior net run-rate and will meet group B runners-up South Africa in Wednesday's semi-final at the Oval.

Sri Lanka will clash with group B winners India in the second semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday in a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai, which the Indians won.

Sri Lankan star Jayawardene, who became the eighth batsman to complete 11,000 one-day runs when he reached 62, anchored the middle-order with an unbeaten 84 off 81 balls.

However, the report added, Australia, who needed to win in 29.1 overs to qualify, made a brave bid to force their first victory in the tournament with belligerent batting led by Adam Voges' top score of 49, following which they finished with just one point through a rain-affected game.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was left stranded on three points, one behind both England and Sri Lanka.

The final is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Sunday, the report added.