SYDNEY: All-rounder Mitch Marsh has returned home because of personal reasons and is out of the World Cup indefinitely, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.
His absence is another blow ahead of the weekend clash with England in Ahmedabad after Glenn Maxwell was ruled out with concussion following a fall from a golf cart.
“A timeline on his return to the squad is to be confirmed,” CA said on Twitter of Marsh.
It is not clear whether a replacement will be called up to the 15-man squad.
The 32-year-old, Australia’s T20 captain, has been in decent form at the World Cup, compiling 225 runs at 37.50 so far. That was boosted by a classy 121 in a 259-run opening partnership with David Warner against Pakistan.
With both Marsh and Maxwell out, Marcus Stoinis or Cameron Green look set to face Jos Buttler’s struggling England, who have won just one game from six so far to prop up the 10-team standings.
“He [Marsh] has got a family issue going on and we all know, family is very important, the most important thing really,” Stoinis told cricket.com.au, the digital arm of CA.
“He sent me a message last night saying, ‘I’ll be home for a little bit and then I’m coming back to win this World Cup’ so that speaks to his mindset I think.
Stoinis added: “You miss him off the field -- in terms of his energy and his personality around the team as much as we’re going to miss him on the field.”
Maxwell is unavailable under concussion protocols after falling off the back of the buggy in the dark after playing a round of golf on Monday as players took a break during the marathon tournament in India.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023