Published: Aug 16, 2015, 01:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 16, 2015, 01:08 PM (IST)
The sudden upheaval in the Australian team in the Ashes is almost too quick to gasp and be digested. It started with the retirement of fast bowler Ryan Harris before the Tests, and in latest developments, has had their captain Michael Clarke announcing his retirement on the eve of Australia’s death knell, on the third day, in Nottingham. In 14 days, England regained the Ashes, but more amazingly, catalysed the pondering of major changes in the Australian set-up. Mitchell Marsh, who is likely to play the final Test at The Oval, spoke about the unfair criticism of their leader Clarke, and the need to see him out on a high. READ: Mitchell Marsh willing to forego IPL for country cricket experience to prep up for Ashes 2019
“I don’t think it’s been very fair on Michael Clarke, he’s been a great player, his stats show that, and he’ll go down as one of the legends of Australian cricket over a period of time,” said Marsh. “I guess it has angered us in a way, it’s been quite disrespectful to someone who has given our game and Australian cricket so much, and it’s been pretty hurtful – but I haven’t read too much, I try to stay out of that sort of stuff,” he was quoted as saying by Guardian.
The new Australian team will have Steven Smith, the middle-order batsman, as the captain. With old stalwarts Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers and Peter Siddle unlikely to be around for much longer, there will new challenges to face for the new faces, who will perhaps find themselves swimming in the deep end of the water a bit too quickly. Nevertheless, the first task would be to sell Clarke’s farewell at The Oval on a high. READ: A tale of two retirements — a contrast between Ashes 2015 and 2006-07
“We’re focused on seeing him out in the winning fashion he deserves. It’s certainly very tough for us, but at the end of the day we have another Test to play, and that’s an exciting prospect. Personally I’m no less motivated than I was a couple of weeks ago, it’s a Test match and it doesn’t matter we’re 3-1 down, we want to win it, like we do every Test match, so motivation certainly is not lacking.
“Losing the Ashes is not something you want to be a part of, but at the end of the day you have to move forward. We’re at a time when there are going to be some young guys coming in and I’m really excited to be part of that group.” READ: Pat Cummins might play 5th Ashes Test at the Oval after good tour match
On the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series — Australia will play five ODIs against England and one against Ireland — Marsh sounded a bit more upbeat.
“The one day squad is a young squad and it will give us a chance to start something special as a one day unit. As a group it’ll be exciting to see the younger guys around. You go out to win every Test match you can. It’s the pinnacle, and we still have an opportunity to make it 3-2. We are focused on that.”
