ICC ODI World Cup holders Australia are raring ahead of their competitors in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Aussies could complete the set by being the holders of ICC competitions across all three formats.

Pat Cummins-led side won the ICC World Test Championship in June 2023, before winning the ODI World Cup in November. Australia beat India to both ICC triumphs, and could complete the set, should they emerge victorious on June 29, 2024. 

MORE: Will Australia plot to eliminate England from the T20 World Cup?

In their quest for glory, the Aussies would have to get rid of defending champions, England. England, who are yet to win in T20 World Cup 2024, could be on their way out, failing to make it past the group stage. 

Australia, who have been long-time rivals of England, have revealed through pacer Josh Hazlewood, about their plans to knock out England, if need be from the group stage. Meanwhile, skipper Mitchell Marsh could be suspended, in case Australia’s deliberate plans turn into a success.

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Will Mitchell Marsh face suspension after Josh Hazlewood’s comments? 

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh could face suspension if the Australians are found guilty of manipulating net run rate so that England gets eliminated from the group stage.

It all started when Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood made a controversial while speaking to reporters. The pacer had said,  

England are probably one of the top few teams on their day and we’ve had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else.

England, who sit on one point in Group B points table, are yet to face Namibia and Oman in their group-stage games. A loss for England in either game would end their title-defence dream. 

Meanwhile, Australia could play a spoilsport, if they win against Scotland by a narrow margin – in a way that Scotland finish over England on Net Run Rate.

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How long could Mitchell Marsh face suspension?

If Australia are found guilty of manipulating net run rate as told by Hazlewood, skipper Mitchell Marsh could face a ban for two or three matches in the Super 8 rounds. 

Marsh could risk being unavailable for team selection, for the whole of the Super 8 round. Australia have already qualified for the Super 8, and are placed at the top of Group B, with three wins in as many matches.

As per Article 2.11 of the ICC’s Code Of Conduct, Mitchell Marsh could be charged over playing a game without the sporting aim of cricket.

He could be charged on the grounds of “Inappropriate strategic or tactical reasons, such as when a team deliberately loses a pool match in an ICC Event in order to affect the standings of other teams in that ICC Event.”