Josh Hazlewood says Australia ready to commit match fixing to eliminate England from T20 World Cup 2024

Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood made a sensational claim about the England national cricket team amidst the T20 World Cup 2024. Josh Hazlewood stated that the Australian national cricket team has the advantage of delivering a fatal blow to England's hopes of qualifying for the Super 8 stage.

England's prospects of advancing to the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2024 are uncertain following a washout against Scotland and a loss against Australia. The Jos Buttler-led team's qualification depends on winning their upcoming matches against Oman and Namibia in the ongoing ICC tournament.

England is currently in fourth place in the "Group B" table with just one point and a net run rate (NRR) of -1.800. They could potentially tie with Scotland if they secure a maximum of four points. To advance to the Super 8 stage, they must attain a superior net run rate to Scotland, even if the Scots lose to the Aussies.

They’re Probably One Of The Top Few Teams - Josh Hazlewood

Speaking to reporters after the win over Namibia, Josh Hazlewood highlighted the advantage for other teams if the defending champions are eliminated. Hazlewood highlighted their best interest in getting England out of the tournament, considering their strong T20 cricket record against Australia.

"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. 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. It will be interesting to see," Hazlewood said.

"Never really been in this position before as a team I don't think. Whether we have a discussion or not and we just try and play it again like we did tonight – that'll be up to other people, not me," he added. 

Australia Advances To Super 8 Stage Of T20 World Cup 2024

The Australia team secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Namibia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tue Jun 11 (local time). Australia delivered a flawless performance across all aspects of the game and became the first team to advance to the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2024 from Group B.

Australia bundled out Namibia for 72 runs in 17 overs after winning the toss. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Zampa picked up three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs. Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis picked up two wickets each in a recent match in the World Cup.

Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, will take on Scotland in their last Group B match in St Lucia on Saturday. This fixture will decide the fate of defending champion England in the tournament.

Also read: After scoring a half-century vs Pakistan, Canada's Aaron Johnson asks Rohit Sharma and his men to beware