NEWS
Follow UsMitchell Marsh is all set to lead Australia at the T20 World Cup 2024, in the USA and West Indies, in June this year. Head coach Andrew McDonald is believed to have endorsed the all-rounder to lead the team at the mega event. McDonald is also part of the selection panel comprising of chairman George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide.
The head coach is expected to send a formal recommendation to Cricket Australia (CA) suggesting that Marsh take over as the captain in T20 Internationals (T20I).
"I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas. 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," McDonald said.
Marsh has led Australia in eight T20Is since his predecessor Aaron Finch's retirement. Matthew Wade stepped in during the five-match T20I series against India, with Marsh rested following the ODI World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batter also led Australia in the final T20I against New Zealand last month, with Marsh rested again.
Marsh is now a key figure across formats for Australia. He was Australia's second-highest run-getter in the World Cup in India with 441 runs at a strike-rate close to 108. Marsh played a pivotal role in Australia's maiden T20 World Cup title in 2021, scoring a player-of-the-match-winning 77* off 50 deliveries against New Zealand in Dubai. Overall, he slammed 185 runs at 61.66 (SR 146.82) at the mega event in the UAE three years ago.
His medium-pace could also come in handy, even though he has barely bowled over the last couple of years. In fact, he has bowled just 10 overs in the format since 2022, picking up two wickets in 18 matches.
Australia do not have a T20I lined up before the T20 World Cup. They kick start their campaign against Oman on June 5 (June 6 in India). They also have England, Namibia and Scotland to contend with in Group B.
