From laughing stock to Australian cricket hero: Mitchell Marsh wins 2024 Allan Border Medal

in Sports

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The Bison. The Comeback Kid. The World Cup champion.

Once the most maligned cricketer in the country, Mitchell Marsh has capped off a remarkable twelve months by winning the 2024 Allan Border Medal, awarded to the most outstanding Australian men’s cricketer of the past year.

Six years ago, Marsh was the laughing stock of Australian cricket following an underwhelming start to his international career, dropped from the Test side on several occasions after averaging 21.74 from his first 21 Tests.

However, in one of Australian cricket’s great comebacks, the 32-year-old has established himself as an all-format powerhouse by winning the World Cup, smacking an Ashes century and captaining the national T20 side.

Marsh polled 223 votes across formats, while captain Pat Cummins and deputy Steve Smith were the next best with 144 and 141 respectively.

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“I hadn’t really thought about it until a few of the boys started getting stuck into me that they thought I was going to win it, then I started thinking maybe I’m a chance,” Marsh said while accepting the award.

“I had four beers at lunch, so I had to stop there.

“Now I’m sort of hoping that me winning this isn’t like COVID, and we’ll look back in three years time and go that was a weird time.

“One of my friends sent me today the list (of previous winners), and I just thought if I win, it’s going to look weird.

“To think that I’ve joined some of the legends of our sport, it really is a huge honour. I can’t believe it.”

2024 Allan Border Medal voting

Mitchell Marsh — 223

Pat Cummins — 144

Steve Smith — 141

Mitch Starc — 135

Travis Head — 134

Mitchell Marsh of Australia. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Marsh beat out the likes of Cummins, Smith and Travis Head for his heroics in all three formats, dating back to March’s ODI tour of India. The West Australian finished the three-match campaign as the leading run-scorer with 194 runs at 97.00, helping the tourists clinch a 2-1 series win.

After being shoehorned into Australia’s side for the Headingley Ashes Test, Marsh celebrated his long-awaited return to the five-day format by clobbering a 118 in a game-changing knock at Leeds.

Marsh was also the leading run-scorer during last year’s T20I tour of South Africa, where he captained Australia for the first time, blasting 186 runs in three matches with an absurd strike rate of 186.00.

During Australia’s triumphant World Cup campaign in India, the right-hander cracked hundreds against Pakistan and Bangladesh during the group stage to help Australia qualify for the finals.

Marsh wrapped up a career-defining 12 months by finishing the recent Benaud-Qadir Trophy against Pakistan as the leading run-scorer with 344 runs at 86.00, also providing some handy contributions with the ball.

During the voting period, Marsh accumulated 1638 runs at 58.50 with a strike rate of 96.07, including three centuries and 12 fifties. He also claimed seven wickets at 49.71.

Pat Cummins and Mitch Marsh. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Marsh got emotional while discussing his four-year quest to get back in the Test side during Wednesday evening’s presentation ceremony in Melbourne.

“I thought I was done and dusted,” Marsh said.

“I often spoke to my wife about it. I just wanted to get one more crack at it.

“It’s been amazing.”

Marsh thanked his family, WA Cricket, batting coach Scott Meuleman, his teammates, coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins.

“We’ve had so much team success, and I’m really proud to have been able to contribute to that over this period of time,” Marsh continued.

“I’d like to pay particular thank you to Ronnie and Patty.

“You just believed in me. I can’t thank you enough for just believing in me.

“I’m a bit fat at times and I love a beer, but you see the best in me always.

“You’ve changed my life.

“Pat, for your support and your leadership, playing under you in absolute dream. Thank you so much.”