Not Pat Cummins! Mitchell Marsh to captain Australia in ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Mitchell Marsh has led Australia in three T20I series against South Africa, West Indies and New Zealand

In a surprising turn of events, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has backed all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as the front-runner to captain Australia in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA starting from 2nd June, effectively sidelining ODI World Cup 2023 winning skipper Pat Cummins for the showpiece event.

This decision comes after Aaron Finch’s retirement left a vacancy in the T20I leadership. While many anticipated a battle for the captaincy between Marsh and Cummins, McDonald has opted for a clear separation of roles.

Since the last T20 World Cup at home, Australia have not named an official captain for the shortest format since Aaron Finch’s retirement, but the 32-year-old Mitchell Marsh has led the Aussies in three of the four assignments since the prestigious tournament.

Before the ODI World Cup 2023, Mitchell Marsh led the Australian T20I side in a three-match T20I series against South Africa. Then the veteran all-rounder was rested for the five-match India series, immediately after winning the showpiece tournament in India. Marsh then led the Australian T20I side in the home series against West Indies and then in New Zealand.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has backed veteran all-rounder Marsh to continue as Australian captain even in the upcoming showpiece event in June.

After thrashing the trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by 2-0 in the recently concluded test series, McDonald who forms the selection panel along with chairman George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, said “I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas.

“We’re happy and comfortable with the way he’s been able to operate with that T20 team. “We think he’s the leader for the World Cup, and I think that will just be a matter of due course,” McDonald added

However, with a squad boasting the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc alongside Marsh, Australia appear well-positioned for the upcoming challenge. With McDonald’s backing and a team hungry for winning the prestigious title, Marsh will have a golden opportunity to cement his legacy as a leader in Australian cricket.

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