Marsh says team down with Ashes hangover
MITCH Marsh has admitted Australia may have been suffering from an Ashes hangover but that wasn’t the reason for their shock one-day defeat to England.
The Aussies were humbled for the first time this summer by England in Sunday’s oneday international at the MCG.
The five-wicket win was England’s only real highlight of a deplorable summer in Australia and came despite the home side racking up a total of 8-304.
After winning the Ashes 4nil, Australia were favoured to make light work of England in the five-match ODI series but must now bounce back in Friday’s day-nighter at the Gabba.
Marsh continued his solid form with 50 (68 balls) while opener Aaron Finch (107) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (60) helped Australia to a commanding total.
But after a gruelling Ashes series, fast bowlers Mitchell Starc (2-71) and Pat Cummins (2-63) were blasted by England opener Jason Roy on his way to a record 180.
Marsh, who arrived in Brisbane yesterday because returning to Perth was too taxing, said fatigue may have played a part in Australia’s poor white-ball performance.
“There may be an element of that but from a momentum perspective, we were really up and about,” he said.
“When you’re playing for your country there is no such thing as being tired or going into games tired.
“We prepared really well. We were up and about. We just had an off day.
“We’ll recover as best as we can and get stuck into it,” Marsh said.