"Tried their best to lose the match" - Fans react to Australian team's sloppy hands against Scotland in T20 World Cup 2024
Fans were highly critical of Australia dropping six catches against Scotland during their high-stakes game in the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday, June 15. Some claimed that the Aussies intentionally dropped catches to deny their arch-rival, England, a place in the Super 8 stage of the showpiece event. However, Australia managed to seal the chase of 181 in the final over, and the Jos Buttler-led side reached the Super 8s.
Batting first, Scotland managed to post a strong total of 180 on the board, with Brandon McMullen top-scoring with 60 off 34 balls. The high score was largely due to Australi's dropped chances, with skipper Mitchell Marsh dropping three, while Adam Zampa, Travis Head and Matthew Wade accounted for one each.
In response, the knocks of Head (68 off 49) and Marcus Stoinis (59 off 29) kept Australia in the hunt. In the end, Tim David (24* off 14) held his nerve to seal victory for the Aussies. Interestingly, the Scottish side also dropped catches of Head and David, which proved costly.
Here are some reactions from fans on X to Australia's missed chances against Scotland in the T20 World Cup:
After the first innings, a fan quipped that the Aussies were trying to have England knocked out of the T20 World Cup.
"Certainly looks like it! Did they all forget how to catch suddenly? Australia's batting will determine whether this was a case of Scotland punching above their weight, or Australia playing tactically to knock England out."
Some fans also took aim at Scotland's missed chances, which resulted in the Men in Yellow winning the game.
"They didn't deserve it to be honest. Australia had given so many chances for Scotland, they couldn't utilise it at all. Even in the end if they had caught the catch they still had a chance, but they dropped the catch and with that the match,"a fan slammed Scotland.
"Scotland will rue their missed chances..Travis Head's catch and also some questionable bowling. Australia again that death bowling was the difference. Ellis proving his worth again. England qualify for the Super 8..but not comfortably by any means," another fan posted.
Australia to face India in Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup
With wins in all four group games of the T20 World Cup, the Mitchell Marsh-led side were the first team to qualify for the Super 8s from Group B. They joined India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Group 1. Australia will clash with India on June 24 in St. Lucia.
Meanwhile, England are placed alongside South Africa, West Indies and the USA in Group 2.