Clarke may play as Australia stare at exit

Defending champions Australia will have to put David Warners bar brawl controversy and questions surrounding their team culture behind them when they take on Sri Lanka in their final league fixture to decide the last of the remaining semifinal places in Group A.

Defending champions Australia will have to put David Warners bar brawl controversy and questions surrounding their team culture behind them when they take on Sri Lanka in their final league fixture to decide the last of the remaining semifinal places in Group A.

It will be a virtual quarterfinal clash between the two sides at Kennington Oval but a lot will depend on the outcome of the Group A match between England and New Zealand in Cardiff to decide the equations. If New Zealand win,Australia will have to beat Sri Lanka but if England triumph,they must beat the Islanders by a huge margin to surpass Black Caps net run-rate,currently the best in the group. A win will seal Sri Lankas place in the last four while a defeat will see them go home.

Sri Lankas recent success against Australia will provide a psychological edge to them. In the last 10 ODIs played between the two sides,Sri Lanka have won six while they drew the ODI series 2-2 earlier this year in Australia. Australia have just one point from two games,starting their campaign with a defeat to England and then having their game against New Zealand washed out.

Australias regular skipper Michael Clarke continues to battle back problems,which saw him missing the first two games,but is hopeful of a return on Monday.

Impact on my leadership

Meanwhile,Clarke said that the brawl involving David Warner had an impact on his leadership. 8220;To be out at that hour 8212; carrying on like we were celebrating after a loss 8212; especially with the opposition 8212; is not the right time or place to be having a few drinks,8221; Clarke was quoted as saying by 8216;AAP8217;. 8220;I know that I need to continue to work on my leadership and make sure I8217;m doing everything I can in my power for things like this not to happen.8221;

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