Australia captain for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Mitchell Marsh, believes his team will not be affected by late arrivals when the group stages begin.
The Australian team, which became champion for the first time in the 2021 T20 World Cup, has played 2 warm-up matches against Namibia and the West Indies. Both matches had contrasting results for the Australians as they took an easy win in the first match but then suffered a tough loss to the co-hosts.
Mitchell Marsh’s form as team captain was unremarkable in either game as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury. Marsh had suffered a knock in the box during a practice session with Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 season in April and to manage the injury, the all-rounder had left the tournament in the early stages.
With the Australians winning and losing their two warm-up matches, nothing can be said about their form so far. And the reason is very clear. Kangaroos are known for standing up when it matters most. Australia is always one step ahead of others when the stakes are high and something similar can be expected this time too.
Mitchell Marsh says Australian team values family time
One of the key reasons behind the Australian team’s success at ICC events is the support each player receives from their families. Mitchell Marsh admitted that his team considers family time to be a very valuable part of life and that the players deserved it after a hectic IPL 2024 season.
Marsh believes it was very important to allow the players to spend valuable time with their families after the two warm-up games. He will keep their heads in the right place and help them focus on the task at hand.
“We really value a bit of family time. The boys have obviously been in the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and having them in your own bed for one or two nights is really important.” – Mitchell Marsh told ESPNcricinfo.
Marsh says Starc and Maxwell have not yet joined the team from Australia
Mitchell Marsh then revealed that Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell, who were in India until the end of May for the IPL 2024 play-offs, are yet to join the team. The duo had gone to Australia to take a short break after their warm-up matches and Marsh believes their late arrival will not affect the team’s preparation.
“We still have [Mitchell] starc and maxi [Glenn Maxwell] to arrive this morning or at noon. But after that we’re all here. “I think for the guys to spend a couple of days at home is really important for us as a group and for them personally.”
“Obviously it takes a few days to get there from Australia, which adds some challenges, but they will be ready to go on the 5th.” – concluded Mitchell Marsh.