Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has broken his silence on the team’s performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. McDonald also spoke about Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy when Australia failed to reach the semi-finals.
Australia came into the tournament as one of the favourites. They had a strong team, with an explosive batting line-up and an experienced bowling line-up. They even started brightly and made it to the Super 8 stage unscathed.
However, Mitchell Marsh and his team made it into the Super 8 and lost to Afghanistan and India. The loss to Afghanistan was particularly shocking given Australia’s track record against them in ICC tournaments.
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Andrew McDonald reveals what let Australia down at the 2024 T20 World Cup
Andrew McDonald spoke to reporters on the eve of the first T20I against England in Southampton.
When asked about Australia’s poor performance in the tournament, McDonald said that the team’s line-up let them down in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was the main reason for their early exit.
“We have a few things we need to sort out but the key area that let us down was our fielding. That makes it difficult for the captain and the team to function,” McDonald said, as per ESPNCricinfo.
Andrew McDonald on Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy
The Australian coach also spoke about Mitchell Marsh’s future as captain. McDonald said there was a debate about Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy but they concluded that he did a good job with the resources available and Australia just failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
“There was some discussion about Mitch Marsh and his captaincy, but if creating chances for the team with his bowling changes and his field positions is the way we are going to criticise a captain, I think he did a fantastic job. We just couldn’t execute in those moments, and that really showed in the Afghanistan game,” he added.
After losing to Afghanistan, Australia needed to win their final Super 8 match against India. However, India were too strong to handle Australia on the day and thrashed them by 24 runs.
India captain Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 92 off just 41 balls to lead his team into the semi-finals in style. India eventually won the 2024 T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final.
Australia’s current form
Australia are in great form after defeating Scotland 3-0 in convincing fashion. They will now take on England in a three-T20I series starting on September 11. After the T20I series, both teams will meet in a five-match ODI series.
As Pat Cummins has been rested throughout the tour, Mitchell Marsh will also lead the team in the ODIs. Meanwhile, in the absence of Jos Buttler, England will be led by Phil Salt in the T20I series.