Australia have received a major boost on the eve of their Twenty20 World Cup defence with Mitch Marsh firming to be able to bowl in their tournament opener against New Zealand.
Marsh has not bowled since injuring his ankle against Zimbabwe in August, having played as a batter only in the lead up to the World Cup.
Australia had initially thought Marsh may not be able to bowl until against Sri Lanka in Perth on Tuesday at the earliest.
However the allrounder got through a lengthy net session on Thursday, with captain Aaron Finch declaring Australia were now hopeful he would be able to bowl at the SCG on Saturday night.
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“He had a really good solid bowl yesterday and by all reports he pulled up really well,” Finch said. “So we’re hopeful to (have him available).”
(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Marsh’s fitness at the bowling crease would represent the final piece of the puzzle for Australia after a chaotic two months leading into the tournament.
Marsh, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar have all had to overcome injuries in the build up, while Finch’s form and future have been repeatedly questioned.
Australia were also handed a late headache with Josh Inglis’s bizarre golf injury on Wednesday, prompting Cameron Green to be added to the extended squad over another back-up wicketkeeper.
In that instance, Australian officials believe there is a only “0.5 per cent” chance of Matthew Wade being injured in a match or in the warm-up, which would leave David Warner as gloveman.
However, the hosts have somehow managed to arrive at Saturday with a largely settled line-up, with not even Sydney’s expected rain likely to create the need for any late changes.
“Probably it’s just more shuffling the batting order (if rain forces a shorter game),” Finch said.
“We have some power all through our order. You can probably map out how an opposition is going to bowl or use their resources a bit more.
“So you can try and get the match ups in your favour as much as you can. You plan for all scenarios. You have to be flexible.
“The thing about rain-affected games is how is it affected? If it’s two overs, it doesn’t make much difference.
“If it’s a five-over games, it makes a huge difference.”
“But most times you would stick with your 11 that you feel is most suited to the conditions and that opposition.”
Finch meanwhile is unconcerned about Australia’s winning record heading into the tournament, with three losses and a draw in their last four games.
And while he did concede Australia had let matches slip at the death recently, he was adamant his big-hitting-laden middle and lower-order could ice matches when it mattered.
“I have huge amount of confidence in our No.4, 5, 6, 7 to be able to do that role,” he said. “We saw the importance of playing seven batters last World Cup and having Wadey, a seriously good batsman at No.7.
“There’s not too many bases we haven’t ticked off.”
New Zealand insist they do not need to overcome a psychological hurdle ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia, despite not winning in the country for 10 years.
Saturday night’s clash in Sydney shapes as crucial for both teams’ tournaments, with the loser set to face a must-win run through the remainder of the group stage.
The Black Caps have not won in Australia in any format since way back in December 2011, when Doug Bracewell ripped through Australia in Hobart.
Kane Williamson of New Zealand. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)
In the time since New Zealand have reached two World Cup finals in the 50-over format, a T20 final last year and claimed the World Test Championship in 2021.
But in Australia their record remains miserable, losing 14 games in the country since the end of 2011 and the only other result being a draw on a flat Perth wicket in 2015.
Despite that, Williamson insisted on Friday that there was no hurdle to jump for his New Zealand team.
“It certainly doesn’t stop us trying to do our best and win regardless of whatever record is behind us,” he said.
“They are a good team; they know their conditions well and are very clinical at home and in most places they play, which is a reflection of where they stand in the game.
“There is that respect from us.
“But we want to keep committing to what is important in our game. We have a number of match-winners throughout.”
New Zealand were yet to decide their team on Friday for the match, with officials yet to get a look at the SCG pitch given it was covered due to rain during their only training session on Friday.
Andrew McDonald explains exactly how Josh Inglis injured his hand playing golf! ????
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 20, 2022#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/STrIjPX4KV
Hard-hitting batsman Daryl Mitchell will miss the match as he fights to recover from a broken finger, while the Black Caps will weigh up whether to play out-and-out quicks Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne together.
Regardless, Australia also claim there is little to be taken from their previous success over New Zealand, routinely pointing to their record of reaching semi-finals in World Cups when asked this week.
“I wouldn’t say that (there is an edge),” Australia captain Aaron Finch said.
“Their World Cup record over the last five or six World Cups is unbelievable. They are a great side, with a great mix of experience and youth.
“They’re led unbelievably well. They have world-class players all through their 15.
“You can never, ever take any team lightly and we’ve seen how close all teams are in this competition.”
LIKELY AUSTRALIAN TEAM: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
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