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Mahela expects tough challenge from India in semis
Following his inspiring performance to see Sri Lanka through to the Champions Trophy semi-final, veteran Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene is ready to give India a tough fight in the last four stage.
- Champions Trophy: Sri Lanka edge Australia, to face India in semi-finals
Sri Lanka beat Australia by 20 runs in London on Monday.
"We are looking forward to another tough match in the semi-final," Jayawardene said.
During the course of his 84-run innings, the elegant Jayawardene crossed 11,000 runs in this form of the game.
"It felt really good (to complete 11000), but winning this was the icing on the cake. We are playing hard and passionate cricket, but we need to enjoy the cricket.
"That has been the mantra of our success in the past and hope it continues in the future. Seniors have a responsibility and it is our job to help Angi (skipper Angelo Mathews) out, that makes us a happy camp," Jayawardene said.
'Our goal was to do it in the 29 overs, but we never got going'
After setting a target of 254, Mathews said he knew it was going to be tough as Australia managed 233 before being bowled out.
"We knew it was going to be tough, defending 253," said Mathews.
"Thirimanne and Jayawardene batted well to get us to that score. I have never seen a crowd like this in the Oval before, and it was good to have the support. Our first target was the semis. We’ll enjoy tonight and see how it goes after that," he added.
Australia's stand-in skipper George Bailey felt his side never got going.
"It would have been nice to get over the line in the end. Our goal was to do it in the 29 overs, but we never got going. There was no value in the result as such, semis was our main aim," Bailey said.
Talking about regular captain Michael Clarke, Bailey said he "is still improving and there is still a big series ahead. There are plenty of positives around and it was good to see the last two (Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty) fight it out."