Pat Cummins denies Australia manipulating Englands World Cup exit
Pat Cummins ruled out the prospect of Australia underperforming against Scotland in a bid to oust rivals England from the ongoing ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024, saying it would be against the “spirit of cricket.”
Bowling spearhead Josh Hazlewood caused controversy this week when he said it would be in Australias interests for reigning champions England to be out of the competition.
Australia have already secured their place in the next round, the Super 8s and he suggested they could ease up in their closing Group B game against Scotland this weekend to engineer their bitter rivals exit.
That scenario now appears less likely after England crushed Oman by eight wickets on Thursday to move above Scotland on net run rate with a final game to come against Namibia.
In this case, if England beat Namibia then Scotland will have to overcome Australia to qualify for the Super Eight.
England coach Matthew Mott — an Australian — said he hoped Hazlewood was joking and Australias Test and one-day skipper Cummins assured him that the bowler was.
“When you go out and play youre trying your best every time. And if youre not, its probably against the spirit of cricket,” Pat Cummins told reporters in St Lucia.
“I dont think you can (go into a game not trying to win) -– ever. Youre playing an international game in the middle of a World Cup.
“You still want to try and have a good game and carry that on into the Super Eights. Ive never stepped onto the field without the mindset of being aggressive like the guys have so far.”
Cummins said he had spoken to Hazlewood and the comments were tongue-in-cheek and “got taken a bit out of context.”
“Well go out there and try to play Scotland, who have had a really good tournament so far, so its going to be tough,” he said.
“Its something you discuss as one of the quirks of the set-up, but it does it change the way we play? Absolutely not.
“Ive never stepped into the field without the mindset of trying to take the game on and be aggressive like the guys have so far.”