Mitchell Marsh left the field with a leg injury. He was not seen in the last match of the T20 series in Sri Lanka. Even in the five-match ODI series, there is uncertainty about getting the pace-bowling all-rounder. It may take a few weeks to recover.
Australia will face host Sri Lanka in the last of the three-match T20 series on Saturday in Pallekele. The bad news came from the visitors’ dressing room before the match. The news of Marsh’s departure has been officially confirmed by Cricket Australia.
Earlier, another Aussie star Mitchell Starc was dropped out. The left-arm fast bowler has injured his finger. Starc could not play in the second match of the T20 series due to that injury. Whether he will be available at the start of the ODI series is a matter of concern. Kane Richardson and Jhye Richardson have been named in the ODI squad to replace him.
Marsh was injured during the second T20 match of the series in Colombo. However, Australia won the match by 3 wickets. Marsh has been replaced by Josh Inglis in the third T20. Meanwhile, Marsh will now continue his rehabilitation with the team in Sri Lanka until he recovers.
Marsh is not returning to the country as he is also part of the Test series squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. Although he could not play in the ODI series, he has a chance to play in the Test series in the end. However, if Cameron Green becomes fit, that possibility for Marsh may end. Cameron will get a chance in the XI instead.
This injury does not seem to be ending the relationship with Marsh. The last Test was played in Australia’s jersey in September 2019. ODIs have not been played since July last year. The star all-rounder could not play in the tour of Pakistan before the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to injury too.