Marsh ends his innings
Shaun Marsh feels a sense of relief and sadness as he retires from professional cricket after almost a quarter of a century.
The West Australian great announced on Sunday that the Big Bash League match between his Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Thunder on Wednesday night would be the last of a career that started some 23 summers ago.
Marsh, 40, played the last of his 38 Tests and 73 one-day internationals in 2019.
He kept playing domestically for WA before retiring at the end of last season.
Marsh continued into this BBL season with the Renegades after he moved from the Perth Scorchers in 2019.
Having overcome calf issues, his form has not diminished.
The left-hander has posted three half-centuries from five innings this season, including an unbeaten 64 to lead the Renegades to victory against the Melbourne Stars on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
However, the Renegades’ underwhelming season has contributed to Marsh’s decision, which he made last week, to pull up stumps on his decorated career.
“I probably knew at the start of the season that it was more than likely going to be my last year but there was no sort of decision made up until probably after our second-last game ago,” Marsh said.
“We had a nine-day break and went home with the family and just felt right then that this was going to be it.
“It’s probably a sense of relief but also some sadness knowing that it’s all over – sort of leave knowing that you gave everything and it’s the right time to walk away.”
Though his Australian career was a mixed bag, he was proud to have reached the highest level and said he could now fully appreciate how special it had been to play international cricket with his brother.
Asked how he would like to be remembered as a player, Marsh was reflective.
“I think just being a good person,’’ he said. “I’ve always just tried to be myself.”