I probably won't try and reinvent the wheel at all: Mitchell Marsh on leading in South Africa

Tags: Australia, Mitchell Ross Marsh

Published on: Aug 23, 2023

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has stated that he will not look to reinvent the wheel as captain and would look to continue what regular skipper Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald have been doing with the side. Marsh has been named captain for the white-ball squads for the tour of South Africa

Cummins is unavailable for the series as he is recovering from a fractured wrist. Australia will tour South Africa for three T20Is and five ODIs from August 30 to September 17. With Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc ruled out of the tour due to injuries, there will be additional responsibility on Marsh as one of the senior members of the team.

"I probably won't try and reinvent the wheel at all. I think the most important thing I've learned about leadership is staying true to yourself. Patty and Andrew McDonald have created an incredible environment around our group right now so hopefully I can continue that in the T20 format and create an environment where the guys come in and just enjoy playing cricket for Australia," Marsh told cricket.com.au.

The 31-year-old went on to praise skipper Cummins for the way he managed the team and opened up on how players can lean on each other. "I think that's one of Pat's strengths, he leans on other people in the squad and other leaders in our team - he does an incredible job."

"There's no doubt with his role as a bowler, playing every game in every format is near-on impossible so for him to have guys that he trusts, he leans on … we've got a great friendship first and foremost, and a great relationship professionally so I always know I can lean on him, and vice-versa," Marsh said.

During the interaction, Marsh opened upon on the new faces that have been picked in the preliminary squad for the World Cup. There is some buzz around the inclusion of spinner Tanveer Sangha and left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, who will also be part of the South African tour.

"We've got an extended squad, we've got some young guys coming in which is really exciting, seeing guys like Spencer Johnson, he'll definitely get a crack. We haven't seen much of him, have we? He's had a few injuries throughout his career and he's sort of burst onto the scene last year.

"He burst onto the scene (in the Big Bash) last year and I was commentating a game and he was bowling 150km/h and swinging it both ways. He's an incredible talent. I faced him in the ODI final at the WACA and was blown away by his pace and skill. I think he's going to feel right at home in international cricket." Marsh went on to add.

Speaking about Tanveer, he added that the bowler has had a few injury problems the last six months but asserted that he is a superb talent.

“There's no doubt we are going to see them in Australian colors over the next few years and we'll get a look at them in South Africa,” he concluded.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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