Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has ruffled a few feathers in the English camp with his comments on how his team plans to play against Scotland in their next assignment of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Addressing a news conference after Australia's 9-wicket win over Namibia on Tuesday, June 11. Hazlewood hinted that Australia could go easy against Scotland that could end up knocking England out of the tournament.
"In this tournament you have to come up against England at some stage again, They are probably one of the top few teams. We have had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket. So if we can get them out of the tournament that's in our best interest and as well as everyone else. It will be interesting to see. " Hazlewood said.
The Australia-England rivalry in T20 cricket has been very competitive. The two nations have played each other 24 times in T20s and won 11 matches each. Two T20 games have ended in no result.
Also Read: All you need to know about Indian-origin USA T20 WC star Saurabh Netravalkar
England have not had the best of the starts in this World Cup. Their first match against Scotland got washed out due to incessant rain before they tasted defeat at the hands of Australia.
The two outcomes has left the Jos Buttler-led side on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. If England need to qualify for the Super 8 stage then they need to beat Oman and Namibia and hope Scotland lose against Australia.
Hazlewood also questioned the format of the World Cup.
"Yeah, it's a little bit strange that it doesn't really, it doesn't go through the tournament. This is probably the first T20 World Cup I've played that's set up this way, or first World Cup in general that's set up this way, so it's a little bit different," said Hazlewood in the post match media interaction.
"Yeah, the work that you do in the round games and if you go through undefeated and have a good net run rate, doesn't really account for much once you're in the Super Eights. So, yeah, it's a strange run, but that's how it is," added the premier pacer.
Australia have qualified for the Super 8 stage of the World Cup. The 2021 champions remain unbeaten in the tournament after registering a hat-trick of wins. Australia beat Oman and England before their victory over Namibia.
Addressing a news conference after Australia's 9-wicket win over Namibia on Tuesday, June 11. Hazlewood hinted that Australia could go easy against Scotland that could end up knocking England out of the tournament.
"In this tournament you have to come up against England at some stage again, They are probably one of the top few teams. We have had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket. So if we can get them out of the tournament that's in our best interest and as well as everyone else. It will be interesting to see. " Hazlewood said.
The Australia-England rivalry in T20 cricket has been very competitive. The two nations have played each other 24 times in T20s and won 11 matches each. Two T20 games have ended in no result.
Also Read: All you need to know about Indian-origin USA T20 WC star Saurabh Netravalkar
Defending champions England are fourth in Group C points table behind Australia, Scotland, Namibia and a spot above Oman.
England have not had the best of the starts in this World Cup. Their first match against Scotland got washed out due to incessant rain before they tasted defeat at the hands of Australia.
The two outcomes has left the Jos Buttler-led side on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. If England need to qualify for the Super 8 stage then they need to beat Oman and Namibia and hope Scotland lose against Australia.
Hazlewood also questioned the format of the World Cup.
"Yeah, it's a little bit strange that it doesn't really, it doesn't go through the tournament. This is probably the first T20 World Cup I've played that's set up this way, or first World Cup in general that's set up this way, so it's a little bit different," said Hazlewood in the post match media interaction.
"Yeah, the work that you do in the round games and if you go through undefeated and have a good net run rate, doesn't really account for much once you're in the Super Eights. So, yeah, it's a strange run, but that's how it is," added the premier pacer.
Australia have qualified for the Super 8 stage of the World Cup. The 2021 champions remain unbeaten in the tournament after registering a hat-trick of wins. Australia beat Oman and England before their victory over Namibia.
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