Seize your popcorn, the T20 World Cup is about to get very, very attention-grabbing.
A fortuitous collection of leads to Group B has not solely assured Australia passage to the second spherical of the match – but in addition with management over England’s fortunes.
The Aussies secured a spot within the Tremendous Eights with three wins from three matches, together with a formidable thumping of the Poms.
England have only one level from two video games and have to win their remaining two matches to have any probability of becoming a member of the Australians within the subsequent section.
However in a pleasant twist for Aussie cricket followers who’ve been fed up by the Barmy Military’s Spirit of Cricket rants since the latest Ashes collection, that also won’t be sufficient.
Australia quick bowler Josh Hazlewood has sparked a firestorm by declaring “it’s in our greatest curiosity” to see the defending champions endure an early exit and refusing to rule out manipulating the system to make sure it occurs.
The Aussies can do this by taking it simple of their ultimate group match in opposition to Scotland, which is
at the moment second with 5 factors and set to seize the remaining Tremendous Eights spot.
Australia and Scotland, who crucially have a vastly superior web run-rate to England, meet on Sunday at St Lucia.
“On this match you doubtlessly come up in opposition to England at some stage once more and so they’re in all probability one of many prime few groups on their day,” stated Hazlewood after Australia cruised previous Namibia by 9 wickets on Tuesday.
“We’ve had some actual struggles in opposition to them in T20 cricket so if we will get them out of the match that’s in our greatest curiosity in addition to in all probability everybody else.
“It’ll be attention-grabbing to see. We’ve by no means actually been on this place earlier than as a workforce.”
Hazlewood insists Australia will go for a gaggle clean-sweep by beating Scotland however with the temptation to assist the Scots protect their superior run price over England.
“Whether or not you get shut and also you simply knock it round and drag it out. There’s a couple of choices there,” he added.
Former Australian captain Tim Paine described the scenario as a “no-brainer” for Australia.
“Stopping a high quality facet progressing in case you have the prospect is a great play that can assist you win a World Cup,” he tweeted.
However English journalists didn’t see it the identical approach, shortly working to the rule guide to see if there was a approach to save their facet.
Cricinfo’s Andrew McGlashan warned Aussie skipper Mitch Marsh could possibly be suspended for 2 matches if officers have been satisfied Australia had manipulated a outcome.
“He could possibly be charged below Article 2.11 of the ICC’s code of conduct, which is designed to forestall the manipulation of video games for ‘inappropriate strategic or tactical causes … corresponding to when a workforce intentionally loses a pool match in an ICC Occasion as a way to have an effect on the standings of different groups in that ICC Occasion’,” McGlashan wrote.
“The code of conduct clarifies it may additionally apply to ‘the inappropriate manipulation of a web run price’ and the captain could be held accountable, and charged with a Degree Two offence.
“Relying on the severity of the offence, this might carry a minimal sanction of a 50 per cent match charge tremendous, with a most of 4 demerit factors and two suspension factors – which might rule Marsh out of Australia’s first two Tremendous Eight matches.”
Hazlewood’s feedback additionally sparked tons of of social media feedback from panicked England followers, however the Poms’ coach Matthew Mott, an Australian who labored with Hazlewood at state facet New South Wales, was positive the 33-year-old fast’s feedback have been made in jest.
“I feel I do know Josh fairly effectively and I do know his integrity,” Mott informed reporters in Antigua. “He’s acquired an excellent sense of humour.
“I’m hoping it was very a lot tongue in cheek. I really don’t assume it’s ever going to play out.
“Having grown up in Australia, and the desire to win each sport, I’m positive they may come to the fore. I’m very a lot hoping it was an offhand comment by a extremely good bloke who’s having enjoyable.”
Australia defeated England by 36 runs of their pool conflict in Barbados final weekend after additionally seeing off Oman by 39 runs on the similar venue.
England’s sport with Scotland, additionally at Bridgetown, was deserted. The Scots then clinched convincing wins over Namibia and Oman.
“We take confidence from successful and successful effectively, I feel that’s virtually extra vital than doubtlessly attempting to knock another person out,” added Hazlewood.
“They’ve nonetheless acquired lots to do on their behalf as effectively, so I feel it’ll turn out to be clearer the nearer we get to that form of stuff.”
England face Oman in Antigua on Thursday after which Namibia on Saturday. Australia and Scotland, nevertheless, will meet on Sunday after England have accomplished their group video games.
– with AFP
