Lead contender out of Aus captaincy race
MODEST Mitchell Marsh has ruled himself out of the Australian white ball captaincy in a surprise move which robs selectors of a frontline contender to replace Aaron Finch.
The superstar all-rounder is one of the most popular figures among Australian teammates, and many within the set-up feel strongly that Marsh has a natural leadership presence which would see him excel as a captain.
Marsh is soon to turn 31 and his heroics in last year’s World Cup final signalled an enormous turning point in the career of a player who used to be much-maligned, but is now seen by selectors as the centre point of Australia’s white ball teams.
There is a confidence about the way Marsh strides to the wicket as Australia’s powerful No.3 which hasn’t always been there during his international career, however, while the unassuming star does believe he has grown as a player and a person, he doesn’t want the vacant captaincy.
As disappointing as that might be to hear for Australian selectors, it’s understandable given the fitness battles and scrutiny he’s faced throughout his now 11-year international career.
“Probably not to be honest,” Marsh said when asked about whether or not he’d be interested in the captaincy ahead of Wednesday’s second T20 World Cup warm-up against England in Canberra.
“I think I’m out of the race, there you go.
“I know it sounds clichéd, but I really haven’t thought about it. I have had to get the body right for this World Cup and the World Cup is such an exciting prospect for all of us that to worry about that sort of stuff is just not on my radar at the moment …
“It’s been an amazing two years considering where I came from to where I am now as a cricketer, and probably a person, but I don’t need to worry about that stuff.”
Even though Australia’s first ODI without Finch – against England on November 17 – will come just three days after the T20 World Cup final next month, Cricket Australia selectors will likely be able to bide themselves some time before making a call on a their long-term captain.
There will be so many players rested for the three-match ODI series against England in November, it’s likely an interim captain will be named – and then it will be many months before Australia plays another ODI.
The immediate focus is on the World Cup, which begins on October 16 with the opening match between Sri Lanka and Namibia.
Australia will face New Zealand in their first World Cup match on October 22 at the SCG.