Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine created controversy by stating that the Mitchell Marsh-led Australian cricket team should tactically manage their last Group B match against Scotland to ensure England's elimination from the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in 2024.

England, the defending champions, find themselves in dangerous circumstances following a washed-out encounter and a crushing defeat to Australia. Their chances of reaching the Super Eight stage are low. With Australia already qualified for the Super Eight, Paine suggests purposefully influencing the outcome of their last Group B match against Scotland on June 16 to ensure England's elimination from the competition.

"When you play in a World Cup, you want to win it. What Australia should do is to send its players on holiday for the last game and let Scotland win it and England can pack their bags. They can field George Bailey, Andrew McDonald and Brad Hogg. I joke but I am semi serious at times. England are a fantastic white-ball side. And if we have control on not having them there. See you later,” he said on ESPN Australia.

Earlier, Paine said on Sen Radio: “Absolutely they should (manipulate the result) and I'm not even joking. I've spoken to people about this in the last few days. I'm dead serious. I'm not sure what the net run rate looks like, you don't have to lose the game, I think they can just let Scotland get close enough. Again, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, Scotland could have a day out.”

Tim Paine, the former Australian Test captain, has spoken out a "smart, calculated" strategy for Australia's last group game against Scotland in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

“You're manipulating the net run rates a little bit... you can say whatever you want to say, but to me, it is smart calculated, tournament play. We're there to win a World Cup. I wouldn't want to play England in the semifinal. They've got six or seven guys that could take a game away from you, much like Australia do. If you can have a side like that not go through to the next phase, it makes the World Cup easier for you to win.”