- England have won just one of their five matches
- The World Cup chances are on life support
- The Australian captain does not have much sympathy
Diplomacy has been thrown out the window at the ICC Cricket World Cup, with Australian skipper Pat Cummins bursting into laughter when asked how poorly England performed at the tournament and describing their latest loss as ‘sad to see’.
England, who controversially won the last ODI World Cup on boundary count after finishing level with New Zealand in the final, have collapsed this time.
A shock loss to Afghanistan was just the start, with the England side hammered by 219 runs by South Africa.
England’s 156 all out in 33.2 overs against Sri Lanka was the ultimate insult, with their opposition easily mowing down the meager total.
England are facing an early exit from the World Cup barring a miracle, which has drawn widespread criticism, including from former skipper Nasser Hussain.
“I haven’t seen England play that badly,” he said of the losses in South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Cummins couldn’t help but laugh when asked to comment on the England cricket team’s woes
After losing four of their first five matches, England will be hoping to be on life support at the World Cup
So when Australian captain Pat Cummins confronted the media ahead of their match against New Zealand on Sunday, it was only natural that they would ask him how England are doing.
Australia play England after the New Zealand match, so Cummins was asked for his thoughts on their series of outs.
‘I imagine you would have been heartbroken to see England suffer a defeat last night. What was your reaction to that, considering you already got them within a few matches?’ a journalist asked Cummins as the Australian skipper stifled a laugh.
“Obviously we’ll have them in a few games, so we’ll take a good look at it,” Cummins said, trying to keep a straight face.
“Yes, it was sad to see.”
Cummins couldn’t hold it in any longer after he said that and burst out laughing.
“I don’t have much left for you.”
The Aussies have bigger headaches than how England travel, including the possible return of Marcus Stoinis from a calf injury and Travis Head from a broken hand.
Both could be available for Sunday’s match against New Zealand, creating a selection conundrum with Marnus Labuschagne likely to be the unlucky player to miss out.
Travis Head returns from a broken hand and could play against New Zealand on Sunday
Marcus Stoinis is also on the clock with a calf problem, but could also be available
Cummins said they would be assessed on Sunday and a decision would be made then.
“I don’t know to be honest,” Cummins replied when asked about the couple’s fitness levels.
“They both trained on match day a few days ago, so we’ll see.”
Cummins added that the Aussies are looking forward to taking on the in-form Kiwis in a rivalry that is always intense but respectful.
“Most Kiwis are pretty calm,” Cummins said on Friday.
‘We’re quite similar. We have played a lot of cricket with these guys, some of these guys are really good friends with our players.
“If anything, it makes you want to beat your friends even more.”
“It’s going to be intense there,” he said.
Australia play New Zealand on Saturday from 4pm AEST.