Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh has returned home to Perth due to personal reasons and will not play Saturday evening’s blockbuster match against England in Ahmedabad.
The 32-year-old, who flew out of India on Wednesday, is expected to return to the team at some point during the tournament.
A timeline for his return has not been confirmed, while it is not clear whether a replacement player will be called required. If Marsh were replaced in the 15-player squad, he would not be permitted to return for the remainder of the tournament unless there was another injury.
“He’s got a family issue going on … he’s doing the right thing,” Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis told reporters in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
“He sent a message last night saying, ‘I’ll be home for a little bit, then I’ll be coming back to win this World Cup.’ That’s his mindset.”
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It leaves Australia with 13 players to choose from for this weekend’s contest after Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of the England clash due to concussion protocols, having fallen off a moving golf cart on Monday.
Marsh, who has scored 225 runs at 37.50 during the World Cup campaign, will presumably be replaced in the ODI starting XI by fellow West Australian Cameron Green, while Steve Smith is expected to return to his preferred position at No. 3.
Australia, currently third on the World Cup standings, is coming off four consecutive wins including a 62-run victory over Pakistan where Marsh scored a career-best 121.
The Australians will face England at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday at 7.30pm AEDT.
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