Former Test captain Tim Paine is adamant Australia should let Scotland “get close enough” in the final pool game at the T20 World Cup to keep defending champions England out of the next stage of the tournament despite an outcry over potential manipulation of the rules.
After taking down Namibia on Wednesday to secure passage to the Super 8s, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said it would be in his team’s “best interests” to have England eliminated, which could happen should the Scots finish the group stages with a better net run rate.
A manic schedule in the World Cup finals, which could include five games in eight days for Australia to lift the trophy, has prompted plans to manage players for the game against Scotland.
Mitchell Starc was rested for the win over Namibia with a calf issue and both coach Andrew McDonald and captain Mitch Marsh said managing “resources” through the final stages of the World Cup would be crucial.
But England coach Matthew Mott, an Australian, said he hoped that Hazlewood’s comments were “off the cuff” remarks and not indicative of a plan to play against Scotland with anything but 100 per cent intention to win at all costs.
“Having grown up in Australia and the will to win every game, I am sure they will come to the fore,” Mott told BBC Sport.
“I am very much hoping it was an offhand remark by a really good bloke who is having fun.”
