ICC World Cup 2015: Australia seal knockout berth with crucial win over Sri Lanka

Australia have sealed a crucial win over Sri Lanka to move to second spot in Group A of the 2015 ICC World Cup at Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The host nation went on to post a mammoth total of 376 runs in 50 overs, while losing nine wickets in the process. In reply, Sri Lanka could manage only 312 runs for the loss of nine wickets, with Dinesh Chandimal being retired hurt mid way through their innings.

Australia won by 64 runs and the latest victory has helped them qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament. Glen Maxwell was named the Man of the Match after scoring his maiden ODI hundred, which came off 51 deliveries. He was dismissed for 102 runs.

The co-hosts won the toss and Michael Clarke decided to bat first. After losing both openers early in the game, Clarke and Steven Smith put on a brilliant partnership of 134 runs for the second wicket.

Following the quick dismissals of Clarke (68) and Smith (72), Maxwell and Shane Watson put on a brilliant partnership down the order.

Maxwell scored the second fastest century of the World Cup, while Watson managed 67 runs. Brad Haddin's 25 runs came off nine deliveries that helped Australia post the total.

Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Thirimanne in the second over and following his dismissal, Tillakaratne Dilshan set up the momentum for Sri Lanka scoring four boundaries in a Mitchell Johnson over. He was well supported by Kumar Sangakkara in the middle before Dilshan was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 62 runs.

Sangakkara went to score his third consecutive century and he was out for 104 runs. Angelo Mathews and Chandimal put on a very good partnership in the middle and were on the course of helping Sri Lanka seal a crucial win.

However, Chandimal was forced to end his time in the middle due to injury and from then on, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals before they lost the ninth wicket in the 47th over.

Australia have made it to the next round of the World Cup and will next take on Scotland on March 14, while Sri Lanka face Scotland on March 11.