Before Australia fight, the humour is in the run-rate rumpus in the Scotland opener.
Michael Jones has given an inkling of Scotland's relaxed state of mind as they prepare for their critical Group B fight in Antigua on Sunday, as he welcomed Josh Hazlewood's idea that Australia may go easy on his team in a bid to scientist an earlier elimination for their arch-rivals England.
Speaking after Australia's forceful victory over Namibia on Tuesday- a result that secured their progression to the Super Eights- Hazlewood had indicated that his team may be inclined to "drag it out" if they got into a winning position against Scotland, in order to preserve their opponents ' online run-rate- albeit for a tactic may run the risk of a suspension for their captain, Mitchell Marsh, if Australia were deemed to have contravened Article 2. 11 of the ICC's code of conduct.
Matthew Mott, England's coach, immediately dismissed Hazlewood's proposal as an example of his "very good feeling of humour", and Jones also saw the humorous side of the remarks, as he joked he'd like to see David Warner opened the bowling at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Sunday.
" I was watching it live actually, laughing to myself," Jones told the Press Association, adding that he had also enjoyed the view of Tim Paine, Australia's former Test captain, who told ESPNcricinfo's Around The Wicket show that Australia's players should "go on holiday … and England can pack their bags".
Tim Paine and that interview were both shown to me when he said they should field half a side. Although I do n't know any of the Australian players, I do n't know any of them, it would be nice to talk to them and sort things out.
" The rivalry between England and Australia is massive. Happy days if they want to play that way. We wo n't be complaining. It would be funny if David Warner was going to start the bowling or something similar. "
However, more than anything else, Jones is prepared for the full Australian experience when the two teams meet on Sunday. After two impressive victories over Oman and Namibia and a strong display against England in the washout, he acknowledged that he and his team-mates were looking forward to putting themselves to one of the best teams in the tournament.
Our team ultimately wants the best outcome, but he said," You want to challenge yourself against the best," he said.
" To have the opportunity to bat against Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, then Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, that's the best in the world. As Scotland teams, we look forward to those opportunities. You want to see how far you can go against those men.
" The Australians are renowned for being extremely professional and diligent. I'm absolutely certain they will come out all guns blazing like they do for every game at every tournament.
" I almost hope they do go full strength on Saturday and we can show the cricket world we're up to the challenge. I'm absolutely certain they will come out all guns blazing like they do for every game at every tournament. "
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