Western Australia Appoints Mitchell Marsh as Captain for Upcoming Season
Sep 8, 2017 at 11:14 AM
Western Australia has appointed all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as the captain for the upcoming domestic season. Marsh will replace Adam Voges as the skipper of the side after the latter retired from the game earlier this year.
Marsh, meanwhile, has been recovering from a shoulder injury which he sustained earlier this year during the Test tour of India. Later, he underwent a surgery and is now undergoing rehabilitation. But while he is yet to regain full fitness, Western Australia did not hesitate in handing him the baton.
Marsh, who has played 36 first-class and 32 One-Day games for Western Australia, said he’s honoured to become the captain.
“I’m very proud to be named the captain. There are some great past players that have lead Western Australia and I’m honoured to be part of that,” Marsh said on Friday (September 8).
“We have a unique group, although it’s quite a young group, we have 22 guys that have great leadership qualities and we’re all one big leadership group. That’s also why I feel proud to be named captain because there were so many great candidates,” he added.
24-year-old Ashton Turner has been named the vice-captain and Marsh is delighted to have him as his deputy.
“Ashton is a really smart guy, really switched on with cricket and really respected within the group, so it’s great to have him to assist,” Marsh said.
Meanwhile, Nick Jones, WACA head physiotherapist, is hopeful that Marsh will be able to ply his trade as a batsman after an injury-plagued 18 months.
“Mitch has progressed gradually through his milestones and is expected to be able to play the One-Day Domestic Cup as a batter only,” Jones said. “His bowling and throwing progressions will be gradual over the coming month.”
A vital part of Australia’s limited-overs teams, Marsh can play a significant role for Western Australia in the upcoming One-Day Cup, which will be followed by the Sheffield Shield. Marsh & Co. will kick start the season against New South Wales at the WACA Ground on September 29.