Pat Cummins says Aussies won’t go slow against Scotland at T20 World Cup
There’s been plenty of chatter over if Australia would manipulate England’s Twenty20 World Cup exit but Pat Cummins says manipulating such a result goes against the spirit of cricket.
Following Australia’s trouncing of Namibia to secure their Super Eight qualification all eyes quickly turn to Sunday morning’s clash against Scotland with England hoping the Aussies can continue their strong start to knock out their northern rivals and allow them to go through on net run rate.
“When you go out and play, you’re trying your best every time,” the Test skipper told Code Sports. “And if you’re not, it’s probably against the spirit of cricket. I haven’t really thought too deeply because it’s never really popped up.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I don’t (think) you can. You’re playing an international, I don’t you can (break your natural momentum) — ever. You’re playing an international game in the middle of a World Cup. “It’s something (run rate) you discuss as one of the quirks of the setup, but does it change the way we play? Absolutely not.“
Cummins said the tournament structure opened itself up for scrutiny, with results not carrying on from the group stage, meaning for teams already qualified their was little incentive in the latter matches.
“It is strange. I don’t know what’s been done in the past, whether it’s been carried through. That’s what I thought it would be until we turned up and worked out that it wasn’t,” Cummins said.
“Obviously you’re trying to win every game but maybe it gives you a chance to manage a few other players in this game where our run rate is less important.”
Cummins flagged selection changes for the clash against the minnows at St Lucia.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood pricked several ears up after saying it would be in everyone’s best interest to try and knock England out if they can.
“In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again, and they’re probably one of the top few teams on their day,” Hazlewood said.
“We’ve 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, as well as probably everyone else’s.”
England lifted it’s run rate to 3.08 ahead of Scotland’s 2.164, after bowling out Oman for 47, en route to an eight-wicket win overnight.
