"Heard there was a fair bit of panic, guys booking flights and canceling"- Glenn Maxwell on scenes at England's team hotel during AUS vs SCO clash
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell made an interesting revelation on hearing about the chaotic scenes at the England team hotel during the closing stages of their 2024 T20 World Cup clash against Scotland on June 15. For context, England's fate for qualification to the Super Eights relied on Australia defeating Scotland after their win over Namibia earlier in the day.
Having already booked their place in the Super Eights, the Aussies, chasing a massive 181 for victory were stuttering at 60/3 in the ninth over at one stage. However, half-centuries by Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis resurrected their innings.
Yet, with three runs needed off four deliveries, Chris Sole dropped a sitter that could have made things interesting. Eventually, Tim David smashed a maximum off the next ball to ensure an Australian win and an English qualification.
Talking on ESPN's Around the Wicket podcast, Maxwell revealed hearing the chaos in the England team hotel during the Australia-Scotland clash.
"There was almost this interesting part where they dropped Tim David's catch when there was 3 required off 3. When it gets down to the last 2-3 balls, who knows what's going to happen? Luckily enough, we got over the line and luckily enough, they got through. But I heard it was absolutely chaos. They were in the hotel and there was a fair bit of panic. Guys booking flights and canceling etc. Would have been fun being a fly on the wall watching that," said Maxwell.
The result helped England pip Scotland on Net run-rate to qualify for the Super Eights despite both teams finishing the group stage with five points.
Meanwhile, Australia ended the group stage by winning all four games to finish atop Group B with eight points.
"Just a couple of texts here and there" - Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell further revealed he received a few text messages from England players before Australia's game against Scotland.
Pacer Josh Hazlewood has made a statement on the eve of the clash that the Aussies might manipulate the result against the Scots to knock England out of the tournament. While the comments were meant to be tongue-in-cheek, they were blown out of proportion in the hours leading up to the game.
"Yeah, just a couple of texts here and there (from England players). It was actually quite funny. There was a lot of chat out in the ground like 'Are we doing this? Are we seriously going to let England back in?' It was a pretty interesting game," said Maxwell.
Australia are part of Group 1 of the Super Eights with India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, while England will compete with South Africa, West Indies, and the USA in Group 2.
The top two from each group will advance to the semi-final on June 26 and 27.