Josh Hazlewood Questions Net Run-Rate Format In T20 World Cup 2024, Says ‘Strange It Counts For Nothing In Super 8’

North Sound: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood questioned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rule on net run-rate after NRRs obtained by the teams in the group stage won’t count for anything in the Super 8 stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Unlike the previous editions, the ICC decided to make it a 20-team affair with four groups of five teams each.

The top two teams from each of the groups will then advance to the Super 8 stage where the teams will be divided into two groups of four each. In the previous edition, top eight teams in the ICC rankings began their campaigns in the Super 12 stage with two groups of six each and top two from each of those groups made the semifinals.

Australia qualified for the Super 8 stage on Tuesday with a nine wicket hammering of Namibia, taking their run rate to +3.580. “Yeah, it’s a little bit strange that it doesn’t really, it doesn’t go through the tournament. This is probably the first T20 World Cup I’ve played that’s set up this way, or first World Cup in general that’s set up this way, so it’s a little bit different,” said Hazlewood.

“Yeah, the work that you do in the round games and if you go through undefeated and have a good net run rate, doesn’t really account for much once you’re in the Super Eights. So, yeah, it’s a strange run, but that’s how it is,” added the premier pacer.

Earlier on the day, Australia cemented their spot in Super 8 with a convincing win over minnows Namibia in a Group C clash. Hazlewood was one of the stars alongside spinner Adam Zampa who took four wickets to take his tournament tally to eight. Batting first, Namibia managed just 72 in 17 overs. In reply, Australia romped home in just 5.4 overs with nine wickets in hand.

Asked if Zampa is one of the more underrated Australian cricketers around, Hazlewood showered due praise on the leg-spinner. “Yeah, we certainly do within the team, for sure. We know his importance. We’ve seen it time and time again in whether it be one day cricket or T20 cricket, often in big tournaments and in big games as well.

“100 T20 wickets, first one there, played the most T20 for Australia as a bowler. So, he’s ticking a lot of boxes and continues to. I think the big thing is he continues to improve all the time. He’s always working on something and nailing down his lengths or whatever it is so yeah – he’s a key part of our team,” Hazlewood added.