Picture Credit: X
Australia, who will aim to end the T20 World Cup 2024 with a historic feat and become the only team to hold three International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies after having the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, last year. As they embark their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, skipper Mitchell Marsh opened up on his fitness, confirming that he won’t in the initial stage of the tournament.
Marsh, who have been shouldered the responsibility to lead Australia at the biennial tournament, which is being played in the USA and Caribbean, is returning from a hamstring injury he sustained in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Aussie all-rounder, who featured in the warm-up matches, could not take part in the entire matches and did not even bowl.
"Yeah, I won't be bowling early on in the tournament. And I always joke as captain - I hope I won't bowl late in the tournament either. But yeah, I'll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament,” Mitchell Marsh said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Earlier, Australia Head Coach Andrew McDonald also confirmed that Marsh will not bowl in their T20 World Cup 2024 tournament opener. “For Mitch, was about ticking off where his body was at. He fielded more overs tonight, he was able to move more freely, so he’s building a little bit of confidence there. It looks as though he’s all set for the first game,” Andrew McDonald told cricket.com.au. “The second part is just when the bowling comes back online… it won’t be the first game,” the Australian head coach further added.
The 2021 T20 World Cup champions, Australia are placed in Group B, along with reigning champions England, Namibia, Scotland and Oman. The Marsh-led side will, however, begin their title hunt on June 6 (IST) against Oman at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
