T20 World Cup: Australia's careless play gives England a nervous few minutes before Scotland pulls away in a fierce pursuit

T20 World Cup 2024: Head and Stoinis sealed the victory after a lackluster performance that left tongues buzzing after Hazlewood's comment that they would want to knock off the reigning champions.

The Australian team room is still rife with mind games and tactics. Josh Hazlewood, a pacer, made a playful joke four days ago about maybe eliminating the reigning champions England from the T20 World Cup by playing a little loose against Scotland, who was also competing for a Super 8 spot in Group B.

After Australia defeated Namibia to guarantee their place in the tournament, Hazlewood said, "We've had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get individuals out of the tournament, which is in our best interest as well as probably everyone else." Scotland as well as England would then have to contend for the final spot.

After Hazlewood made remarks that touched a raw nerve, the English media began to discuss the possible consequences should Australia lose to an Associate country for the first time since the 1983 World Cup. Prior to the last group-stage match in St. Lucia, teammate Pat Cummins spoke up to clarify the air and said that oddities in the net run rate would not force a change in strategy against Scotland.

But for a moment, it did, as a resolute Scottish team faced up against Australia with qualification on the line. Add six more dropped catches to that, and Mitchell Marsh's team provided enough of material for the imagination.

A few English hearts could have pounded, 350 kilometers north in Antigua, during the events. England had done their part earlier on Sunday to halt Namibia after a frustrating stretch of rain, but they needed a mild prodding from the Aussies to secure a Super 8 position on NRR.

They were ultimately not let down. After a tough chase, Australia managed to win by five wickets, taunting the English in the process. It's possible that Hazlewood laughed after his comment sparked more interest in the game.

The accusation against McMullen

But Scotland seems intent on controlling their destiny. After Australia decided to field without Hazlewood and Cummins, George Munsey and Brandon McMullen started an enthralling Powerplay attack.

Expanding on his half-century that won the match against Oman, McMullen hit several stunning sixes over mid-off and cover. After straight-driving Nathan Ellis for a maximum, the right-hander attacked Mitchell Starc by slapping over deep cover into the wind. Munsey, who mixed up his off-breaks with strong down-the-line strokes and switch-hits, liked his chances against Glenn Maxwell. For another six, McMullen effortlessly lofted leggie Adam Zampa over deep cover.

In only 26 deliveries, McMullen reached his fifty, but not before hitting another six off Ashton Agar, a left-arm spinner, in mid-off. He scored 36 runs thanks to his dominant off-side play, which is uncommon in T20 cricket. Before holing out to short-third off a tossed-up ball from Zampa, McMullen ensured that he hit every Australian bowler for six at least once through the area by pumping Maxwell over wide mid-off. Captain Richie Berrington made certain that his team maintained their momentum.

Although it was difficult to score in the second half, Scotland managed to rally to 180 for five, which was both their greatest T20 World Cup total and the highest total ever by an Associate team in the competition against Australia.

Passing an unexpected exam

The strong aim may have helped to keep the Australians' heads level in time for the Super Eight, even if captain Marsh noted the team was under "a little less pressure" following the game.

In the second over, Brad Wheal's away swinger got David Warner to give him a halfhearted poke.

However, Scotland wasted their subsequent opportunity on the Powerplay. Travis Head, 17, miscued a slog over mid-off in the fourth over, and Michael Jones was unable to hold onto a spinning high ball while sprinting backwards. Marcus Stoinis assumed the position of aggressor, and Head modified his approach when Marsh and Maxwell left for low scores.

With powerful biffs over far off, the gallant no. 5 took the battle to spinner Michael Leask and unleashed a barrage of reverse-sweep boundaries. Head nursed to his off 45 deliveries as Stoinis waltzed to a fifty off 25 balls.

With three straight sixes off medium-pacer Safyan Sharif, Head went into overdrive and at last England could breathe a sigh of relief. Towards the end, Head and Stoinis collapsed, and there was time for more drama. However, Tim David's long levers sent the tenacious Scots packing with two balls remaining, giving the reigning champs plenty of space to fight out the remainder of the Caribbean match by themselves.