Test captain Pat Cummins was last week named the ICC’s player of the year for 2023 but all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has caused a massive boilover by winning the Allan Border Medal.
The 32-year-old Marsh peeled off a hilarious and occasionally emotional acceptance speech at the annual awards on Wednesday night at Crown Palladium in Melbourne.
“I really hadn’t thought about it until a few of the boys started getting stuck into me that they thought I was going to win it. I started thinking maybe I’m a chance. I had four beers at lunch so I had to stop there,” he said.
“Now I’m hoping that me winning this is not like COVID that we look back in three years’ time and go ‘that was a weird time’. But it’s definitely a huge honour.”
Cummins and Test vice-captain Steve Smith were the other finalists for the award.
Ash Gardner, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland were shortlisted for the women’s award with Gardner getting the nod after a superb year in all three formats. She had previously won the award in 2022.
Perry took out the ODI and T20 awards, but Gardner pipped the veteran by 13 votes in the main count.
Gardner starred in Australia’s Test win during the multi-format Ashes in England and the spinner performed admirably in the red-ball defeat to India on a turning wicket in Mumbai.
Marsh became emotional, choking up on stage, when he was asked whether he ever doubted he would get back in the Test team after a four-year absence.
“I thought I was done and dusted. I often spoke to my wife (Greta) about it. I just wanted to get one more crack at it,” he said before stopping to settle himself.
“It’s been amazing… she gave me the perspective on life that I needed.”
The hard-hitting all-rounder choked up again during his speech as he attempted to thank Cummins and Australia coach Andrew McDonald for believing in him and showing faith.
“You just believed in me,” he said, holding back tears. “I can’t thank you enough for believing in me. I’m a bit fat at times and I love a beer but you see the best in me always. You’ve changed my life.
“For your support, Patty, and your leadership, playing under you is an absolute dream so thank you very much.”
Marsh received the award from Border, who recently announced he was battling Parkinson’s disease. The legendary Aussie skipper spent many years playing alongside Marsh’s father, Geoff.
“Very special. It’s great to have him here. Dad often speaks about his fond memories playing under him, copping a few sprays over the journey but it was mostly good,” he added.
There were tributes to retiring stalwarts Meg Lanning, Aaron Finch, David Warner and Shaun Marsh.
Marsh was a runaway winner, finishing 79 votes ahead of Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins in a medal voted on by players, umpires and media.
The Western Australian was helped by regaining his spot in the Test team during the Ashes, while he also starred in Australia’s stunning World Cup triumph in India and contributed in T20s.
He scored the second-highest number of runs (1638 at 58.5) by an Australian cricketer during the voting period across Tests, ODIs and T20s, tied with fellow World Cup hero Travis Head.
Only Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne, who played six more matches than Marsh, compiled more runs (1672 at 40.78).
Marsh joins an illustrious list including Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Cummins and Mitch Starc to have won the Allan Border Medal, first awarded in 2000.
Star spinner Nathan Lyon was a surprise winner of the Shane Warne Men’s Test player of the year.
Despite missing the final three Tests of the Ashes due to a torn calf, Lyon’s outstanding performances in India were enough for him to collect the red-ball award for the second time – and first since 2019.
Opener Usman Khawaja took out the ICC Test cricketer of the year after making 1062 runs at 42.48 across 13 matches.
But the 37-year-old, who has been a revelation since being recalled to the Test team in January 2022, was unable to secure back-to-back Australian red-ball awards.
There was more joy for Western Australians as fast bowler Jason Behrendorff collected the T20 player of the year award.
Cricket Australia Awards winners
Belinda Clark Award – Ashleigh Gardner (147 votes)
2nd: Ellyse Perry (134)
3rd: Annabel Sutherland (106)
Allan Border Medal – Mitchell Marsh (223 votes)
Pat Cummins (144)
Steven Smith (141)
Women’s ODI Player of the Year – Ellyse Perry
Women’s T20I Player of the Year – Ellyse Perry
Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year – Nathan Lyon
Men’s ODI Player of the Year – Mitchell Marsh
Men’s T20I Player of the Year – Jason Behrendorff
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year – Sophie Day, Elyse Villani (tied).
Men’s Domestic Player of the Year – Cameron Bancroft
Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Emma De Brough
Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Fergus O’Neill
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
Strewth blimey Dave, blow me right down, when will you lose your obsession with averages - seriously, it's like a recorded broken record with you.
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
Gweneth Paltrow, just like Cameron Diaz, was born in the same year as me - I could have gone to school with them!
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
The Lords centenary test was a dull draw that went nowhere from very early on in the piece, culminating in a typically meaningless snail paced Boycott ton to finish it off. Hughes best innings was the MCG knock against the West Indies in 1981-82, and by far his stand out series was the 1982-83 Ashes. His best one day batting was against the West Indies in the 1983-84 world series.
Short Arm
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Yeah, she did seem to fail when lowered down the order. She's the type of batsman that has to ease into her innings I think, she can't go hell for leather from the start. Strange she was dropped down as she seems to be the glue in that top order. Always turning the strike over & playing second fiddle to big hitters like Healy. Can't see the reasoning for opening both Healy & Litchfield together as they are too similar.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yep, a big quarry...and they developed 2 things.
Christo the Daddyo
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I’m starting to wonder whether there are unspoken reasons why Bancroft has not been selected. Personality issues perhaps? Lingering distrust from the sandpaper issue? I’m sure we’ll never know for certain, but his omission is odd. Purely on cricketing terms he was the obvious choice to replace Warner.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
There's an award for that. Most of us on here have made the odd egregious error. Even I.
Doctor Rotcod
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Typical small state syndrome. Used a touch pad recently? Developed in WA. Know anything about quantum computers? UWA leads the way. Any copper, neodymium,praesodymium or lithium in your life? Drive a car made from steel, aluminium or high quality glass? All sourced from WA. All Australian stainless steel needs nickel. WA nickel.mostly. It sure doesn't need the world's highest debt to equity ratio of any provincial jurisdiction or an economy based on the real estate Ponzi scheme inherent in Victorian life. And casinos. The most livable city in the world? Pah! Try living in the outer suburbs. World's greatest sporting city? Not even close. When Victorian voters have a choice between an autocrat's succesor and a big business minion , pity them
PeteB
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Haha Lockdown Dan deserved it. Not hard done by at all :laughing:
Mick Cooney
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Lyon? You must be joking!
Barney
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Thank you, I see it now, told you I was stupid
The Bush
Roar Guru
Lyon.
Barney
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I am pretty stupid…who was the Test player of the year
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
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Doug W, Kim Hughes and now Mitch Marsh and Travis Head for best batters to watch when up and about for mine. Those Kim Hughes innings at Lords back in the 80s is worth watching on youtube if you get the time.
Rowdy
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Long Live Dougie!!!
Rowdy
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I remember never going there. I was too busy throwing potatoes and onions at fancy V8s
Rowdy
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Psst, I’m a polemicist I’m in therapy but only for the scenery.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
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Trav's had some great Test knocks - interspersed with some pretty ordinary performances as well unfortunately
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
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Brings up memories of Bogarts, and the Old Lion disco n Adelaide back in the mid to late 70s. Dancing the Madison to Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits in time with about 50 other people ! Medallions and unbuttoned shirts were de rigeur - unfortunately I didn't have much chest hair to display - or a chest for that matter. Good times but.
JohnB
Roar Rookie
A bit of a head-scratcher - but I think she's possibly been a bit of a victim of some chopping and changing in the team. In calendar year 2023 (which I assume is the relevant period) she and Australia played 8 series (counting the Ashes as 1 series, but the Indian tour as 3, since that's the way they were played and how stats are given for them) plus a 1 off Test v India. In 3 of the 8 series she was pushed down the order (bizarrely some may say) and did little. She also had one poor series when opening, against WI in the T20s last October. Maybe topping the averages and aggregates at the T20 world cup, and being at least 2nd in both measures in the other 2 limited over series, the Ashes and the India Test doesn't overcome those 4 unproductive series.