Australia have been knocked out of the Twenty20 World Cup before even finishing their group stage fixtures after Zimbabwe’s match with Ireland in Sri Lanka was washed out.

With each side taking a point from the rained-off tie Australia, on two points can no longer catch Zimbabwe, on five, even if they win their final match against Oman on Friday (Saturday 0030 AEDT).

Regular rain in Kandy meant the covers were on the Pallekele International Stadium for much for day before the match was finally called off two-and-a-half hours after the scheduled start.

Zimbabwe thus go through to the Super Eight stage with Sri Lanka, with Thursday’s match between the teams deciding who tops the group.

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It is the first time Australia have been knocked out of a World Cup at the group stage, in either the T20 or ODI formats, since 2009. Their only victory was over Ireland, who were also eliminated by the washout.