Mitchell Marsh Eyes on Recovery Amidst Constant Leadership Speculation

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh insists his priority remains to regain full fitness after undergoing ankle surgery amidst all the leadership speculations.

Meanwhile, Marsh will captain Australia A’s during their tour to India in September. It will be an ideal opportunity for the team management to test his credentials as a captain.

The appointment indicates Marsh is firming to become Test captain Tim Paine’s deputy. However, Pat Cummins, the ailed star paceman, is also looming as the other main candidate.

Paine, meanwhile, will lead the One-day International side as the interim skipper. He will lead the team during the England series.

Marsh will miss the tour as he is still recovering from an injury. He said bouncing back from the surgery remained his priority despite the constant leadership speculation.

Furthermore, Cricket Australia (CA) will decide about the Test vice-captain spot in a meeting, next week.

“It’s (the vice-captaincy) there, it’s not something I’m focused on solely,” Marsh told reporters in Perth on Wednesday (May 30) as quoted by CA.

 

“I’m a couple of weeks away from running at the moment. All things going to plan, I’ll play the two four-day games in India … hopefully (bowl) a couple of overs and then I’ll just build in towards the Pakistan series (set for October in the UAE),” he added.

Grown a lot in the captain’s role:

Marsh led the Warriors to the domestic 50-over title last October. This shortly came after he cemented his Test position with two centuries in the Ashes.

Moreover, Justin Langer’s appointment as the head coach fuelled Mitchell Marsh’s emergence, who installed him as the Western Australia skipper.

“I feel like I’ve grown into the role a lot more in the last 12 months being captain of Western Australia,” Marsh said.

 

“I think with where we’re at as a team, the Australian cricket team, I want to become the best cricketer and the best person I can be. If that means in time I become vice-captain of Australia, so be it, but right now my focus is on being fit and playing good cricket,” he concluded.

Also read: England announce squad for Australia, Scotland ODIs