05 November,2023 10:32 AM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondent
Mitchell Marsh. Pic/AFP
ICC World Cup 2023: Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will be back with the World Cup squad in Mumbai on Sunday, two day before their game against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Cricket Australia tweeted late on Saturday about the development. The dashing all-rounder missed the five-time champions' match against England here on Saturday, as he had flown back briefly following the demise of his grandmother.
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Marsh has been a top performer for the Kangaroos with the bat, scoring 225 runs in six games at an average of 37.50, including a hundred and a half-century.
Although he initially began the tournament opening the innings with David Warner, he was pushed to the No. 3 spot following the return of Travis Head from a head injury.
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This too shall pass!
With seats filling up fast for World Cup semifinals, Australia will look to banish middle-order woes and secure a final four spot against a fearless Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Only two places remain up for the taking with rampant India slated to finish atop the World Cup points table. South Africa have also qualified.
With no other team directly threatening Australia's progression into the semifinals, Pat Cummins' men would like to finish the job at the first given opportunity here at the Wankhede Stadium, a venue that has been a paradise for batting but also supports the bowlers adequately if they are good enough to exploit the conditions.
The battle promises to be an enticing watch given Afghanistan's battery of spinners and resolute batting itching to deliver a strong show against Australia, for whom leg-spinner Adam Zampa's 19 wickets in seven matches are the most for any bowler in this World Cup.
Australia need only one win from their remaining two contests, against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, to become the third semifinalists and more importantly stay clear from the pack that is about to engage in a dogfight in the middle of the points table for the final spot.
