England can do little more than strive to beat Oman and Namibia, beat them well, and hope Australia then do them a serious favour against Scotland. But after Josh Hazlewood entertained the notion of Australia potentially manipulating that match to eliminate the defending champions something that could risk up to a two-match ban for their captain, Mitch Marsh, if proved - these next few days could yet become spicier than a bottle of Antigua's Grannie Annie pepper sauce.
The scenario facing the defending champions has been well trailed since their 36-run defeat against Australia, with two wins - starting against Oman today - and a stark improvement on a net run-rate of minus 1.8 their only hope of making the Super Eight phase. Although it may not be enough.
Scotland then meet Australia in the final game of Group B in St Lucia on Saturday night, after the conclusion of England versus Namibia. A shock win guarantees Richie Berrington's Scotland a top-two finish but a defeat that keeps their net run-rate above England's would also ensure progress.
It has raised the hypothetical possibility of Australia, already through to the Super Eight stage and the group decided by the seeding rather than final first-round finish, being able to potentially carve up the match to the detriment of England, such as by slowing a run chase. It was something Hazelwood did not dismiss out of hand when asked about it after their nine-wicket cruise against Namibia.
This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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