- Australia could expel England from the World Cup
- A ‘close’ result against Scotland would be crucial
- Tim Paine asked the Australians not to do England any favors
- Quick Josh Hazlewood also doesn’t want England to advance
Former Test captain Tim Paine is convinced Australia should let Scotland “get close enough” in their final T20 World Cup pool match to keep defending champions England out of the next stage of the tournament.
It comes after an outcry over possible manipulation of the rules.
After beating Namibia by nine wickets on Wednesday to secure progress to the Super 8s, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said it would be “in his team’s best interest” to eliminate England, which could happen if the Scots finish the group stage with a better result. net run rate.
A hectic schedule in the World Cup finals, which could include five matches in eight days for Australia to lift the trophy, has prompted plans to manage players for the match against Scotland.
Paine said that focusing on winning the tournament should determine what the Australians do in the final match and that if an opportunity presented itself to eliminate England, a serious rival, then he was “all for it”.
Former Test captain Tim Paine is convinced Australia should allow Scotland to “get close enough” in their final T20 World Cup pool match to keep defending champions England out of the next stage of the tournament.
Australia have started the T20 World Cup in ominous fashion and will have to slow down a bit (pictured, captain Mitch Marsh)
“They absolutely should and I’m not even kidding,” Paine said in Radio SEN.
‘I speak very seriously. No need to lose the match, just let Scotland get close enough.
‘And that’s not just because it’s England. I think you have to go into these tournaments trying to win a World Cup, and who could pose a threat in the later rounds? England.
“There is no doubt that they are still one of the best teams in the world. They have had a horrible start and now it is in our hands.
“So if you can eliminate one of the most popular teams in the tournament and do it in a way that’s not too bad, or you’re not going to lose a game, then I’m all for it.”
England coach Matthew Mott, an Australian, said he hoped Hazlewood’s comments were “spontaneous” comments and not indicative of a plan to play Scotland with anything more than a 100 percent intention to win at all costs.
“Having grown up in Australia and wanting to win every game, I’m sure they will come to the fore,” Mott told BBC Sport.
“I’m really hoping it was a casual comment from a really good guy who’s having fun.”
While resting players remains an option available to Australia, Marsh could also come under scrutiny as captain under the game’s Code of Conduct if the match referee determined that a deliberate attempt to manipulate run rates had occurred. net.
Australia will play Scotland on Sunday in St Lucia after England play their final match against Namibia, putting their fate in the hands of others.