Australia have been dealt another massive blow ahead of their World Cup game against England with allrounder Mitch Marsh flying home to Perth for personal reasons.
Marsh, a key part of the top-order and providing handy overs with the ball, is out of Australia’s campaign indefinitely.
It is unclear if the 32-year-old will be able to return at any stage during the tournament or if Australia will call in a replacement player.
It comes less than 24 hours after veteran Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of Saturday’s clash with England due to concussion after falling off a golf cart.
Cameron Green and fellow all-rounder Marcus Stoinis are likely to be recalled to the team to take on England to replace Marsh and Maxwell.
Mitchell Marsh. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne insists Australia have moved on from the Jonny Bairstow stumping saga as they prepare to face England for the first time since the Ashes.
During the second Test at Lord’s, Bairstow strayed from his crease after the final ball of an over and fell victim to an opportunistic stumping from Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
The wicket, while legal, was claimed by England not to have been in the spirit of the game and inflamed tensions between the traditional rivals that simmered throughout the drawn series.
“We pre-record stuff and then it comes out two months later so it feels like it’s topical again now but that conversation was had months and months ago,” Labuschagne said of Bairstow’s comments.
Seven members of England’s ODI squad played in the Ashes but Labuschagne said there would be no residual animosity on Australia’s end.
“I couldn’t care less who we’re playing. We really just want to beat England,” he said. “I can’t imagine anything’s going to come up with Jonny. It’s dead and buried, something that we don’t really talk about.
“I don’t think anyone’s view or thoughts have changed on the decision. It’s a good conversation to stir the pot and the media loves stirring the pot about that.
“But as players, it’s happened. I think everyone’s moved on.”
With three games to play, Australia are in good position to qualify for the semi-finals but England have endured a dismal campaign and are only a mathematical chance to advance.
The reigning champions have won only one of six matches and sit last on the ladder.
“It’s obviously always a shock when a team like that are six (games) and one (win),” said Labuschagne. “Regardless of how they’re playing, six and one for a high-quality line-up and being 10th in the World Cup, absolutely it’s a shock.
Labuschagne would not be drawn to comment on whether he would retain his spot in the XI for the match.
Travis Head’s return from a hand injury had been expected to force Labuschagne, better-known for his red-ball abilities, out of the side.
Labuschagne remained in the team for Saturday’s tight win over New Zealand but could himself ousted against England, with Marcus Stoinis enjoying extra time to recover from a calf niggle.
“I’m not a selector but I think over the last 13 games I’ve added a lot of value to the team, especially in the middle overs,” Labuschagne said.
“I think we know what’s important in this country (India) is how you play the middle overs.
“I’ll just keep making sure if I get an opportunity, I keep scoring runs.”
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
would have been caught or dropped about 4 times if they had the brain to have a slip. apparently... what's your intel on Carey? he played one game. one. he almost won us the World Cup in 2019.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Good thing that Marnus was not dropped then. Carey is not in a good space atm and would have asked a lot from someone too inconsistent Marnus' score was as equally pleasing as Bairstow's golden duck :thumbup:
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Carey is a better ODI bat than Marnus. Much better
Ace
Roar Rookie
you could be right but for now he will be chosen with their limited options and for balance not a hard decision to make You would have Abbot or Carey who were not good enough ?
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Labuschagne should be nowhere near the squad. He is an affront
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Just everyone who reads this.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Don speaking on behalf of everyone ... again.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Who knows...but you are. We can tell from your posts.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not automatic. He was dropped one innings after he scored 50 no. He's not out of form. He is our best chance of winning the WC.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
How would I be hurt, Don? Cricket isn't that important to me. (Are you quoting me everywhere to give me credibility? Cheers.)
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
I already know Cameron Green is a great player. I just don't believe he should automatically be in the team because he's from WA.
ant
Roar Rookie
that would be a great solution! (just that i cannot see smudge or marn ever move down to six)
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Laughing stock
Tony
Roar Guru
Fell out of a golf cart? :laughing: ? :laughing: WTF?
MBCC
Roar Rookie
Wait...Australia are playing Afghanistan? But Australia don't play Afghanistan on moral grounds. Has someone overthrown the Taliban last night without telling me? Cuz I thot the situation in Afghanistan is even worse now than 10 months ago. Surely your not suggesting that Australia would put qualification for the semi's ahead of such an important moral stance!
EWAF
Roar Rookie
Some fellas have some time off from work and head to the golf course. All of them are very competitive individuals. One of them shanks a drive. Another member of the party starts laughing and goading the player on the tee. Said player lines up his second ball and hits it directly at the guy giving him lip...it hits him. Probably hard enough to give him concussion. The boss isn't happy. Ah, I don't know. Just a story I've heard doing the rounds.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
he's be the last guy chosen in the squad in my mind in his mind, the first
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Might be the one from CA website. Long article still there. Rocchiccioli gives a lot of credit to clubmate, Ashton Agar.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I thought I would just drift into the conversation.
Ace
Roar Rookie
There was an article on Rocciccioli on my Google phone app this AM . Gone now but it was to sing the praises of this leading wicket taker from WA