In a massive blow for Australia, in-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has flown home due to personal reasons and will be out of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 indefinitely.
Marsh, who flew home from India on Wednesday night, will not play Saturday evening’s blockbuster match against England in Ahmedabad and there is no certainty on his return to the sub-continent for the remainder of the World Cup.
“Australian allrounder Mitchell Marsh has returned home from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 late last night for personal reasons. A timeline on his return to the squad is to be confirmed. No further detail will be offered at this time,” Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement.
Meanwhile, another Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis talked to reporters in India and said that Marsh had the full support of his teammates.
“He’s flown home late last night. He’s got a family issue going on. And like we all know family is very important and the most important really,” Stoinis said.
“So he’s doing the right thing and he’s getting home and he’s seeing the people he needs to see and then I don’t think there’s a timeline on when he’s coming back but I’m sure he’ll do what he needs to do at home and then get back. He sent a message last night saying ‘I’ll be home for a little bit then I’m coming back to win this World Cup’ so that speaks to his mindset,” he added.
Notably, Australia have already lost Glenn Maxwell for Saturday’s clash against England due to concussion after an unlikely injury on a golf course, and the absence of Marsh adds further intrigue as the five-time World Cup champions chase a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
The likes of Alex Carey, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green will come into contention to replace Maxwell and Marsh for the match with England, while spinner Tanveer Sangha is travelling with the team as a reserve.
Australia do have the option of replacing Marsh should the all-rounder miss the remainder of the tournament, but all replacement players need to be approved by the Event Technical Committee.
The 32-year-old Marsh has a total of 225 runs and two wickets to his name at the World Cup thus far, with his best effort with the bat coming against Pakistan in Bengaluru when he smashed a brilliant 121.
