Marsh to keep Australia ‘nice and relaxed’
THE honour of captaining Australia sits lightly on Mitchell Marsh’s shoulders as he prepares to lead the team in search of an unprecedented treble of major global titles at next month’s T20 World Cup.
Marsh was confirmed as captain during the naming of the squad on Wednesday, continuing a remarkable comeback for the iconic all-rounder since his recall during last year’s Ashes.
The 32-year-old has already proved to be a popular and successful skipper, leading the team to series wins over New Zealand and T20 World Cup co-hosts West Indies.
His laid-back demeanour sits well with an Australian side that have reached great heights since parting ways with firebrand head coach Justin Langer.
Marsh said seeing the selectors’ faith in his leadership would do little to change him.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learnt is to not change too much,” he told reporters.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of preparation and planning that goes into a World Cup and that will happen over the next month.
“But once we get there it’s (about) keeping everything nice and relaxed, keeping the environment good.”
Marsh took Australia’s top cricketing honour when he won the Allan Border medal in January, recognition for his starring roles in the Ashes and Australia’s sixth oneday World Cup title in India last year.
History beckons again, as Australia look to become the first nation to hold the global T20, one-day and Test championships at the same time with another triumph in the US and the Caribbean.
Though joking his way through Wednesday’s media conference, Marsh put on his serious captain’s hat when asked about the treble bid.
“It’s not something we necessarily focus on as a group,” he said.
“It has never been done before, so that will be special, but there’s so many things you’ve got to get through at a World Cup before you can even get a crack at that.
“That’s probably for the external noise ... but I guess the carrot’s there.” |