All-rounder important to balance team ahead of ODI World Cup: Marsh
Keeping in mind the upcoming ODI World Cup to be held in India, Australia’s Mitchell Marsh believes the role of all-rounders will be crucial as it will give his team more balance and options. With India hosting the ICC ODI World Cup in October-November this year, the three-match series between the two top-ranked teams starting here on Friday will hold immense significance. Both India and Australia would like to test their preparations for the World Cup.
“For the balance of our team, the more all-rounders we have here, the better,” Marsh said ahead of Australia’s practice session here on Thursday. They (all-rounders) are really important to the structure with which we want to take the field. “He said,” We have seen this in the past with good teams. There are batsmen in the England team at number eight who help the team to set big targets or chase big targets. Marsh believes that with this series, there will be big scorers against the World Cup.
“I think it will happen,” he said. We will see (big scores) in this series, hopefully a lot of runs will be scored. We are looking forward to the World Cup, the way cricket is played here in white ball format, you have to target big or chase big totals. He said, “In such a situation, having more batsmen in the team will be helpful. I think it will be very important.
The 31-year-old batsman said that it would be very difficult to beat India at their home. He said, “It is always difficult to win in India. India’s ODI team is very strong and they play very well at home. But I think our team is also very good and it is going to be a great match.
Marsh said that explosive opener David Warner, who returned home after the second Test in Delhi due to a hairline fracture in his left elbow, will play in the first ODI only if he is fully fit. Marsh said, “He is still making a comeback from his elbow injury but will not rush to include him in the team until he is 100 per cent fit.” He also suffered a minor injury, with the ball taking an inside edge and hitting his thigh.
