Piers Morgan leads mocking of Australia after controversial claim by star player backfires spectacularly as Mitch Marsh's team is sent home

Australia star Josh Hazlewood once revelled in the possibility of sending England home early from the Twenty20 World Cup.

In a twist of fate, though, it is the Aussies who will be watching on as Jos Buttler's men march on to the semi-finals of the competition.

Hazlewood set social media alight earlier this month when he confessed that the Aussies were considering manipulating their result in the group stage game against Scotland.

A slim margin of victory for the Aussies would have allowed for the Scots to advance to the Super Eight in England's place, with the reigning champions struggling through the preliminary stages of the tournament.

'In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they're probably one of the top few teams on their day,' Hazlewood said.

'We've had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket. So if we can get them out of the tournament, that's in our best interest as well as probably everyone else.'

As it was, England reached the next stage and finally found some form, booking their place in the semi-finals, where they will face India.

But Australia were unable to join them as underdogs Afghanistan advanced in their place.

Unsurprisingly, cricket fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to taunt Hazlewood and Australia, who were left with egg on their faces.

Outspoken TV personality and cricket tragic Piers Morgan led the way in the mocking of England's greatest rival.

'My thoughts with Josh Hazlewood and the Australian cricket team at this very difficult time,' he posted to his 8.7million followers. 'I guess karma had the last laugh…'

Edgbaston Stadium's official X account said: 'Thinking of Josh Hazlewood at this difficult time.'

Another cricket fan highlighted the poetic justice in how the tournament transpired for Australia after Hazlewood's remark.

'Hazlewood and Australia were planning to eliminate England but they themselves are not in semis now.' the comment was posted with a laughing emoji.

A fourth X account said: 'Huge sigh of relief for Hazlewood now there’s no chance of Australia facing England in the knockouts'.

One cricket fan, @MichaelPotts_, shared Mail Sport's original story on Hazlewood's comments with the caption: 'Good evening to absolutely everybody, but especially Josh Hazlewood.'