Australian T20 World Cup cricket star Josh Hazlewood has been left with egg on his face after previously suggesting that his team may “just knock it around” during their final group game against Scotland in an attempt to dump England out of the tournament. Australia have exited the World Cup following Afghanistan’s victory over Bangladesh, while England are through to the semi-finals.
Australia were in fine form during the group stages as they won all four of their matches to finish top of the pile.
England, on the other hand, were clinging to their place in the competition after losing to Australia by 36 runs in the opening match and seeing their encounter with Scotland fall victim to the rain.
With Scotland winning their clashes with Namibia and Oman, England were four points adrift of Richie Berrington’s side at one stage of the tournament.
Jos Buttler’s men eventually went level with Scotland after they too defeated Namibia and Oman. But they then needed to rely on Australia to see off Scotland in the final group match.
And ahead of the showdown, Hazlewood exclaimed in a press conference: “We’ve had some real struggles against them (England) in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think.
“It will be interesting to see, [we’ve] never really been in this position before as a team I don’t think. Whether we have discussions or not, or we just try and play again the way we played tonight, that will be up to people, not me.”
When quizzed about what his team would need to do to knock out England, the bowler then added: “Not too sure really. Whether you get close and just knock it around, drag it out.
“There are a few options there, but to take confidence from winning and winning well, I think that’s almost more important than potentially trying to knock someone else out.
“They (England) have still got a lot to do on their behalf as well. So, I think it will become clearer the closer we get to that sort of stuff.”
Australia went on to defeat Scotland, with England qualifying from the group as their net run-rate was superior to that of the Scottish team.
And England have gone on to secure a semi-final showdown with India on Thursday after winning two of their three Super 8 group encounters to finish behind South Africa. Australia, meanwhile, will be going home after Afghanistan bagged a second-place finish in the other Super 8 group.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk