KOLKATA, INDIA – NOVEMBER 14: David Warner and Mitchell Marsh of Australia during a nets session at … [+] Eden Gardens on November 14, 2023 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and top-order batter David Warner have picked up injuries at the ongoing Indian Premier League, less than two months out from the Twenty20 World Cup.
Marsh, who plays for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, picked up a hamstring injury and was on Sunday sent back home to Australia to continue his rehabilitation.
The 32-year-old had managed scores of just 20, 23, 18 and 0 from four innings for the Delhi Capitals before he picked up the injury and missed the following two games.
The all-rounder is expected to recover in time for Australia’s opening T20 World Cup match against Oman on June 5, but it remains to be seen if he will return to play for the Delhi Capitals in the latter stages of this season’s IPL.
Marsh is one of Australia’s most important players and will likely lead the team at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States after doing so in the last two editions.
BANGALORE, INDIA – OCTOBER 20: Mitch Marsh of Australia celebrates their century during the ICC … [+] Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 between Australia and Pakistan at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 20, 2023 in Bangalore, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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Australia coach Andrew McDonald indicated last month that the hard-hitting Marsh was an obvious choice for the captain’s role after he performed well during a recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand.
“I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas,” McDonald said of the vacant T20 captaincy role.
“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.”
BANGALORE, INDIA – OCTOBER 20: David Warner of Australia celebrates their century during the ICC … [+] Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023 between Australia and Pakistan at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 20, 2023 in Bangalore, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, featuring a record 20 teams, will be held from June 1-29. A win in the Caribbean would make Australia the first nation to hold the T20, ODI and Test world championships at the same time.
Marsh’s Delhi Capitals and Australia teammate Warner is also battling an injury.
The 37-year-old hurt his finger while batting against the Lucknow Super Giants on Friday. His fitness is being monitored ahead of the Delhi Capitals’ next fixture against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday.
Veteran player Warner, who will play his last matches for Australia at the T20 World Cup, is likely to be the opening batter alongside Travis Head at the tournament.
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