Australia have suffered a massive blow with news that in-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh will return home and be out of the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup indefinitely.Marsh flew home from India on Thursday due to personal reasons and is no certainty to return to the sub-continent for the remainder of the World Cup.
"A timeline on his return to the squad is to be confirmed," Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement.Teammate Marcus Stoinis talked to reporters in India on Thursday and the all-rounder said Marsh had the full support of his teammates, an ICC report said.
“He’s flown home late last night. He’s got a family issue going on. And like we all know family is very important and the most important really,” Stoinis said.
“So he’s doing the right thing and he’s getting home and he’s seeing the people he needs to see and then I don’t think there’s a timeline on when he’s coming back but I’m sure he’ll do what he needs to do at home and then get back," he said.
“He sent a message last night saying ‘I’ll be home for a little bit then I’m coming back to win this World Cup’ so that speaks to his mindset,” Stoinis added.
Australia have already lost fellow all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for Saturday's clash against England due to concussion after an unlikely injury on a golf course, and the absence of Marsh adds further intrigue as the five-time World Cup champions chase a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Squad members Alex Carey, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green will come into contention to replace Maxwell and Marsh for the match with England, while spinner Tanveer Sangha is travelling with the team as a reserve.
Australia do have the option of replacing Marsh should the all-rounder miss the remainder of the tournament, but all replacement players need to be approved by the Event Technical Committee.
Marsh has a total of 225 runs and two wickets to his name at the World Cup thus far, with his best effort with the bat coming against Pakistan in Bengaluru when he smashed a brilliant 121.(UNI)
