Ponting leads Australia into World Cup semis

Australia stormed into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals today as Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee swept Sri Lanka aside.

Australia stormed into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals today as Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee swept Sri Lanka aside.

Ponting hammered his 12th one-day century to set the tone during Australia's 319 for five total.

Bowler Lee then destroyed the Sri Lankan top order, sending Sanath Jayasuriya to hospital in the process as the world champions ran out winners by 96 runs.

Aravinda de Silva gave Sri Lanka feint hope by hitting a defiant 92 runs off 94 balls.

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Sri Lanka ended on 223 off 47.4 overs but Australia's victory - their 13th one-day success in a row - confirmed their dominance in the tournament.

Jayasuriya's suffered bad bruising and a chipped thumb bone.