Australia’s T20 cricket captain, Mitchell Marsh, risks a huge fine should they attempt to form a pact with Scotland to stop England at the World Cup.
Jos Buttler’s side are the defending champions, but they face an uphill struggle to qualify for the Super 8s after a poor start.
Their first game against Scotland was abandoned midway through due to rain, meaning each side gained a point.
They were then comfortably beaten by Australia, meaning they need two wins in their last two matches, and a big swing in net-run-rate to qualify ahead of Scotland.
Australia have won their opening three matches, meaning they have six points and are into the Super 8s.
Scotland have one game remaining and currently sit on five points after beating Namibia and Oman.
Their net-run-rate is in a much healthier place than England, so they can qualify for the next round should they not lose badly to the Aussies.
And Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood hinted that a potential pact with Scotland could be possible to stop England from qualifying for the latter stages.
Speaking at a press conference after Australia’s win over Namibia, he was asked about going easy on Scotland and said: “In this tournament, we could potentially come up against England at some stage again.
“They are one of the top few teams.
“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 everyone else.”
He was then asked what any sort of pact would like and he said: “I am not too sure.
“You get close; you then just knock it around and drag it out.
“There are a few options.”
However, if Australia were to do this and be found guilty of it, it would be Marsh who would be punished for breaking this little-known rule.
The Australian captain would be deemed wholly responsible by the ICC and fined between 50 and 100 per cent of his match fee.
Of course, England can also be knocked out if Scotland were to beat Australia.
This would see the Scots top the group ahead of the Aussies and send Buttler’s boys home.
England could also be out by the time Australia and Scotland play if they fail to beat Namibia or Oman.
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