Mitchell Starc criticizes T20 World Cup scheduling structure and says “questions need to be…”

The 2024 T20 World Cup is heading towards the knockout stage and all eight teams have been confirmed for the Super 8 stage. Australia topped Group B with four wins from four matches but were still classified as ‘B2’ in that regard. to the Super 8 due to the pre-seeding of the tournament. The Super 8 opponents are somewhat pre-decided in the 2024 T20 World Cup due to the rankings and as a result, the ranking after the league stage has no bearing on the games This is why Australia was ‘B2’ despite finishing first in its group and expressed its frustration with the structure by saying it was “not a fan”.

“I think there is a question to be asked about pre-seeding. I’m not sure I’m a fan of that,” Starc said at a press conference following Australia’s victory over Scotland in their final group match.

Due to the fact that the ranking system will determine the Super 8 games, it is possible that up to three group winners could end up in the same Super 8 group. Similar questions were asked when India were classified as ‘A1’ regardless of their performance and how he could have qualified.

Meanwhile, Australia overcame a determined challenge from Scotland to claim a five-wicket victory in a decisive T20 World Cup Group B final match for both teams at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia on Saturday.

Responding to the Scots’ 180 for five, their highest total in a T20 World Cup match, half-centuries from Travis Head (68 off 49 balls, five fours, four sixes) and Marcus Stoinis (59 off 29 balls, nine of fours, two sixes) took them to the target and a 100 percent group winning record with two balls to spare.

Tim David’s unbeaten 24 balls finished the job and lifted Australia to 186 for five.

But he needed a generous dose of luck when he fell to mid-wicket before ending the match with a huge six in the same direction off the next ball from seamer Brad Wheal.

That result also eliminated Scotland and allowed champions England, winners earlier in the day over Namibia in a rain-affected match in Antigua, to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the competition alongside their arch-rivals by virtue of a better net. . -rate than the Scots.

(With AFP inputs)