Pat Cummins has poured cold water on talk Australia could manipulate the result of their upcoming T20 World Cup clash with Scotland to ensure England’s elimination from the tournament, claiming such a move would be ‘against the spirit of cricket’.
Suggestions Australia could massage Scotland’s net run rate during their clash on Sunday morning (AEST) have dominated discussion during the week, exacerbated by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s claim it would be in their ‘best interest’ to ensure the reigning World Cup champions were eliminated.
England, though, abruptly removed net run rate from the equation by flogging Oman in just 19 balls in Antigua to take theirs to 3.08 – well above Scotland’s 2.16 – meaning Australia would now have to lose to the Scots, or have the match washed out, to knock the old enemy out.
However, speaking even before the Oman match, Cummins dismissed suggestions Australia would be up to any funny business in their final group stage game, while claiming Hazlewood’s comments were made tongue in cheek.
“When you go out and play, you’re trying your best every time – and if you’re not, it’s probably against the spirit of cricket,” the Test captain said.
“I haven’t really thought too deeply because it’s [manipulating results] never really popped up.
“You’re 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 8s.
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“I’ve never stepped onto the field without the mindset of being aggressive like the guys have so far.“
According to Cummins, despite Hazlewood’s comments earlier in the week that caused an outcry in England, no serious discussions have been made in the Australian camp about knocking them out of the tournament.
He also made the point that Scotland, who are undefeated in the tournament after wins over Namibia and Oman and a washout against England, will be no easybeats.
“I was speaking to Joshy [Hazlewood] who had a bit of a joke about it the other day and it got taken a bit out of context,” Cummins said.
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“We’ll go out there and try to play Scotland who have had a really good tournament so far, so it’s going to be tough.
“It’s [net run rate] something you discuss as one of the quirks of the set-up, but does it change the way we play? Absolutely not.“
With Australia already qualified for the Super 8s stage of the tournament with wins over Oman, England and Namibia, the team appears likely to rest a series of first-choice names with tougher assignments ahead.
They face Scotland at the Darren Sammy International Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Sunday, with their schedule for the rest of the tournament yet to be determined.