ENG vs AUS: Mitchell Marsh's Australian captaincy in danger? Andrew McDonald issues worrying statement
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Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has broken his silence on the team's performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. McDonald also spoke about Mitchell Marsh's captaincy as Australia failed to reach the semi-finals.
Australia went into the tournament as one of the favorites. They possessed a strong team with an explosive batting line-up and an experienced bowling line-up. They even started brilliantly and went through to the Super 8 stage unscathed.
However, Mitchell Marsh and his team slipped into the Super 8 and lost to Afghanistan and India. The defeat to Afghanistan was a particularly shocking one given Australia's record against them in ICC tournaments.
Andrew McDonald reveals what let Australia down in the T20 World Cup 2024
Andrew McDonald spoke to the reporters on the eve of the first T20I against England in Southampton.
When McDonald was asked about Australia's underperformance in the tournament. he replied that the team's fielding let them down in the T20 World Cup 2024 which was the main reason for their early departure.
"We've got a few things that we need to work through, but the key area for us that was disappointing was our fielding. That makes it difficult for the captain and the team to function,” McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Andrew McDonald on Mitchell Marsh's captaincy
The Australian head coach also spoke about Mitchell Marsh's captaincy future. McDonald claimed that there was discussion regarding Mitchell Marsh's captaincy but they concluded that he did a fine job with the resources available and Australia were just not able to execute their moments.
"There was some discussion around Mitch Marsh and his captaincy, but if creating opportunities for the team with your bowling changes and your field positions is the way that we're going to critique a captain, I thought he did a fantastic job. We just weren't able to execute in those moments, and that really played out in the Afghanistan game," he added.
After losing to Afghanistan, Australia needed to win their last Super 8 fixture against India. However, India were too hot to handle on the day as they thrashed Australia by 24 runs.
India captain Rohit Sharma cracked a brilliant 92 off just 41 balls to take his team to the semi-finals in style. Eventually, India went on to win the T20 World Cup 2024 title by defeating South Africa in the final.
Australia's current form
Australia is in great form currently having whitewashed Scotland 3-0 convincingly. They will now take on England in a three-match T20I series beginning on September 11. After the T20I series, both the teams will face off in a five-match ODI series.
As Pat Cummins is rested for the whole tour, Mitchell Marsh will lead the team in ODIs as well. Meanwhile, in the absence of Jos Buttler, England will be led by Phil Salt in the T20I series.
