The confirmation of Allan Border medallist Mitch Marsh as Australia’s captain for the T20 World Cup is all but complete, with national coach, and one of three selectors, Andrew McDonald declaring “all roads will lead to Mitch”.
It marks a significant moment for Marsh, whose international resurgence began during Australia’s charge to victory at the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he was player of the match in the final.
He’s subsequently become a must-pick white-ball player and now a loveable member of the Test team too having returned during the 2023 Ashes. His all-round abilities helped him snare the highest individual honour in Australian cricket last month.
Marsh has been the unofficial captain since the retirement of Aaron Finch after Australia’s failed T20 World Cup campaign in 2022, leading his team to a 3-0 clean sweep of New Zealand, a team expected to be a rival at the tournament being played in the Caribbean and USA in June and July.
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They were Australia’s final T20 matches before the opening World Cup clash with Oman in Barbados on June 6, and McDonald said he’d be recommending to the Cricket Australia board that 32-year-old Marsh be handed the reins on a formal basis.
“I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas,” said McDonald, who forms the selection committee with George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide.
“We’re happy and comfortable with the way he’s been able to operate with that T20 team.
“We think he’s the leader for the World Cup, and I think that will just be a matter of due course.”
Marsh will captain a side likely to include Test skipper Pat Cummins, who was also recently announced as captain of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The pair will be among 16 Australians warming up for the World Cup in the Indian competition, including fast bowler Mitchell Starc for the first time in more than a decade.
But Steve Smith is not among them and his place in the World Cup squad remains doubtful.
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