T20 World Cup 2024: Australia pacer Mitchell Starc calls out media for ‘dragging’ Josh Hazlewood’s comments
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has lashed out at media for blowing fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood's comments out of proportion. The comments came after Australia beat Scotland in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 which ensured arch-rivals England a place in the Super Eight stage.
With Australia already qualified for the knockout stage, Hazlewood had said last week with it would be in 'best interest' of Australia to eliminate England at the group stage. It is to be noted that England needed a win over Namibia and a win for Australia over Scotland to make it to the knockout stage.
"I think a throwaway line has been blown right out of proportion by you lot (media)," Starc said at the post-match conference after Australia won against Scotland on Saturday (June 15).
"You don't stuff around with mother cricket and trying to worry about other results. We're here to win games. It's international cricket. England now are on the other side of the draw, so it really doesn't make that much difference for the next three games. So yeah, I think that was blown right out of proportion by you guys," he added.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh was also asked about how much England's fate been discussed to which he laughingly said: "I think more externally than internally, but we won today and that's all that matters."
Australia are in Group 1 of Super Eight stage alongside India and Afghanistan and the fourth team will be either Bangladesh or Netherlands. Meanwhile, England are in Group 2 with West Indies, USA, and South Africa.
In the match, Australia did have a bit of scare in the chase of 181, needing 87 off just 39 balls at one stage. Marcus Stoinis (59), Travis Head (68), and Tim David (24 not out), however, took the Aussies home with two balls to spare.