Captain Marsh ‘relaxed’ on the way to the World Cup

The new T20 captain is still recovering from a hamstring injury that shortened his IPL stint but hopes to be fit for the start of the ICC tournament

Mitch Marsh hopes to be fully fit for the start of Australia’s T20 World Cup as the newly introduced short format skipper insisted little would change under his leadership, signaling a continuation of the “nice and relaxed” approach favored by players senior of the team.

Marsh, formally named captain for next month’s ICC event, returned to Perth last month after suffering a right hamstring injury during the Indian Premier League.

While reigning medalist Allan Border had planned to rejoin the Ricky Ponting-coached Delhi Capitals, Marsh admitted on SEN WA that his rehabilitation had progressed “a little slower than I would have expected”.

It was subsequently decided that he would miss the remainder of the tournament to prepare for the Australians’ first match against Oman in Barbados on 5 June.

Such is the strength of his batting that Marsh could play as a specialist batsman for the West Indies, but it is understood he could return to bowling early next week at a training camp in Brisbane.

“If we were to play tomorrow, I’d be in some trouble,” the 32-year-old told reporters in Perth on Thursday.

“I’m still a couple of weeks away (from being fully fit). The timing is probably perfect, barring any setbacks. I’ll be on the plane, ready to go.”

Marsh admitted the silver lining to his injury, which cut short his IPL stint for the second consecutive season, has been a rare extended spell at home after a busy 12 months.

Once again a regular across all formats, he made an exciting return to the Test team during last year’s Ashes before playing an integral role in India’s unlikely 50-over World Cup triumph.

But Marsh is arguably most effective in the shortest format and his popularity as the leader of the T20 team during successful spells in charge in South Africa, at home against the West Indies and in New Zealand saw him earn the full-time role. base.

“I’m really proud,” Marsh said of the appointment which was formalized following ratification by the Cricket Australia Board on Wednesday.

“It’s not every day you get to captain Australia and take them to a World Cup. That’s very exciting.

“But I think one of the best things about our team is that there are a lot of great leaders in our group.

“One of the most important things I have learned is not to change too much. There is a lot of preparation and planning for a World Cup, which will happen over the next month.

“But once we get there, we’ve got to keep everything nice and relaxed, keep the atmosphere going and make sure we go out and give it our all.”

Pat Cummins is one of Marsh’s closest friends, but the West Australian insisted the pair had not had extensive discussions about leadership.

Cummins, the captain of the Test and ODI teams, will take a backseat as a player only in the T20I team.

“We’re always in communication as teammates and, I guess, as leaders. But there’s no real conversations on the cricket side, we’re just always checking on each other,” Marsh said.

“We are great friends, so I look forward to working with him over the next period of time.”

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Australia Group B Schedule

June 6th: v Oman, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 10:30am AEST

June 9: v England, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 3am AEST

June 12: v Namibia, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, 10:30am AEST

June 16: v Scotland, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia, 10:30am AEST

Super Eight schedule to be confirmed

June 27th: Semifinal 1, Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad, 10:30 am AEST

June 28th: Semifinal 2, Providence Stadium, Guyana, 12:30 am AEST

June 30th: Final, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 12:30am AEST

To see the full list of matches, click here. All matches will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime