“When you go out and play,,” Cummins said during a press conference in St Lucia ahead of Australia’s match against Scotland on Sunday morning (AEST).
“And if you’re not,it’s probably against the spirit of cricket. I haven’t really thought too deeply because it’s never really popped up. I don’t[think] you can,ever[manipulate a match]. You’re playing an international[match].”
Australia have already qualified for the next round of the tournament with three successive victories,making the result of their match against Scotland irrelevant.
Thrashing Oman on Friday morning (AEST) has taken England’s run rate out of the equation,meaning that Scotland would now have to beat Australia in their last Group B match to qualify for the Super Eights ahead of England.
Oman were bowled out for 47 and England ran down the total in just 19 balls,lifting their run rate to 3.08. Scotland’s is 2.16.
Pat Cummins bowls against Namibia this week.AP
A washout against Scotland had left England in danger of missing the next round,raising concerns from England’s white ball coach Matthew Mott and their cricket commentariat more broadly that Australia would attempt to manipulate their game against Australia.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood two days ago when he said it was in Australia’s best interests to “get England out” of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Mott,an Australian who once coached Hazlewood when he was in charge of NSW,wondered if the paceman was joking.
“I think I know Josh pretty well and I know his integrity,” Mott said. “He has got a very good sense of humour and I am hoping it was very much tongue-in-cheek.”
Josh Hazlewood suggested it was ‘in Australia’s interest’ for England to be eliminated.ICC via Getty Images
Cummins insisted that one of his great pace mates was not being serious.
“I was speaking to Joshy who had a bit of a joke about it the other day and it got taken a bit out of context,” Cummins said.
“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 something[run rate] you discuss as one of the quirks of the set-up,but does it change the way we play? Absolutely not.”
However,given the match is of no consequence to Australia,they may continue to rest some of their key players who had a heavy workload during the IPL over the previous two months.
Cummins and Mitchell Starc have already been rested from matches during the tournament. The former believes it is important that Australia continue their momentum after a strong start.
“I don’t you can,ever (flirt with form),” Cummins said. “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 Eights.
“I’ve never stepped onto the field without the mindset of being aggressive like the guys have so far.”
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