NEWS
Follow UsMitchell Marsh’s fitness remains one of the big concerns for Australia, heading into the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA). But Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that the all-rounder would be fit in time to feature as an all-rounder at the global event.
Marsh, who tore his hamstring during his stint with Delhi Capitals at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, has recovered slower than the side expected. However, over the past few days, his fitness has improved to a level to be part of the pre-tournament training camp in Brisbane.
"You probably won't see him bowl in the next couple of weeks here. It'll probably happen the week before we leave. And then he'll be able to ramp that up when we're over there,” McDonald told reporters as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“We'll be able to cherry-pick the moments during the tournament where he'll be useful with the ball. We've got some all-round depth in the squad, which gives us good coverage anyway,” he added.
"[His recovery was] probably a little slower than expected on the back of the hamstring. But we've got plenty of time now that he has been ruled out the IPL. The first game is just short of a month away now. So ample time for him to get ready. But really positive to see the skipper on the park,” he reckoned.
While Australia have announced their squad for the global event, McDonald confirmed that they would take an additional travelling reserve, to add to the squad’s firepower. However, the management are yet to take a call on who that reserve could be.
"We've got some decisions to make," McDonald said. "We've seen some international sides have up to four reserves. That'll be something that [chair of selectors] George Bailey will get us together around in the next couple of weeks and we'll put the final touches on that squad. We will take a reserve at this stage and it's looking like one reserve."
