NEWS
Follow UsJosh Hazlewood, on June 12 (Wednesday), hinted that they might still look to play a part in knocking England out of the T20 World Cup 2024 by ensuring that they look to play slow against Scotland.
However, as things stand, England are well ahead of Scotland in the net run-rate race and unless Scotland can beat Australia, they will not be able to secure a place in the Super Eights. Hazlewood's comments were met with severe criticism, but teammate Pat Cummins reckons that the pacer's statement was taken out of context.
"I think when you go out and play, you are trying your best every time, and if you are not, that's probably against the spirit of cricket," Cummins told reporters in St Lucia.
"I was speaking to Joshy, who had a bit of a joke about it the other day, and think it got taken a little bit out of context. We'll go there and just try and play Scotland who have had a really good tournament so far and will be tough.
It's [net run rate] something you kind of discuss as one of the quirks of the set-up but in terms of does it change the way we play, absolutely not. I've never stepped into the field without the mindset of trying to take the game on and be aggressive like the guys have so far."
England head coach Matthew Mott, too, dismissed Hazlewood's comments, saying Hazlewood is a humourous guy.
"I was informed of that this morning. Look to me, that's things out of our control and I think I know Josh pretty well and I know his integrity. I don't think that's a thing. He has got a very good sense of humour and hopefully, that's what he was doing,” Mott said.
Australia take on Scotland in St Lucia on June 15 (Saturday). A win for Scotland is good enough to see them through to the Super Eights, ahead of England, regardless of the outcome of their match against Namibia earlier that day in Antigua.
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