Australia suffer 20-run defeat to Sri Lanka.

AUSTRALIA’S troubled summer continued yesterday at the Kia Oval, where they were knocked out of the Champions Trophy with a 20-run defeat to semi-finalists Sri Lanka.

Australian captain George Bailey is run out as Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga looks on. Picture: Reuters

Having lost to England and drawn their washed-out game against New Zealand, Australia were already up against it before the day-night clash against their Group A rivals in south London.

Only a comprehensive win would have seen the Australians through, but Sri Lanka posted a score of 253 after an excellent batting performance from Mahela Jayawardene, who passed 11,000 ODI runs with an unbeaten 84.

New Zealand’s far superior run-rate meant Australia had to reach their target in 29.1 overs to progress.

Despite swashbuckling innings from Adam Voges (49) and Glenn Maxwell (32), Australia, again with captain Michael Clarke missing, failed to score the required eight runs an over and they were eventually dismissed for 233 despite a 41-run last-wicket stand between Xavier Doherty and Clint McKay.

The result means Australia, beset by off-the-field troubles following David Warner’s punch on Joe Root, exit the Champions Trophy without a competitive win in England ahead of the Ashes.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, progress at the expense of Clarke’s side and New Zealand to set up a semi-final against India in Cardiff while England will face South Africa at the Oval tomorrow after topping Group A.

Victorious skipper Angelo Mathews said: “We knew it was going to be tough but I have to thank our supporters for turning up in such numbers. I’ve never seen such a big crowd at the Oval.

“Our main objective was to get to the semi-finals, so we will enjoy this before turning our focus to India.”

Disappointed Australia captain George Bailey said: “We showed a little bit of fight but it has been a disappointing tournament for us.”