Marsh warms into captaincy duties ahead of World Cup

Star allrounder Mitch Marsh is enjoying life in the captain's hot-seat, but he's keeping mum about whether he'll retain the role for this year's Twenty20 World Cup.

Marsh, the popular winner of the Allan Border Medal for Australia's outstanding male cricketer, will continue his captaincy duties against West Indies in the third and final T20 clash at Optus Stadium on Tuesday night.

Australia lead the series 2-0 after beating the tourists by 11 runs in Hobart and 34 runs in Adelaide.

Pat Cummins captains the one-day and Test sides, but there has been no full-time skipper for the T20 outfit since Aaron Finch relinquished the role last year.

Matthew Wade stepped into the T20 captaincy on an interim basis for a five-match tour of India last year, but Marsh appears a lock for the role for the World Cup in the United States and Caribbean.

Marsh was a popular choice as winner of the 2024 Allan Border Medal.
Marsh was a popular choice as winner of the 2024 Allan Border Medal.

After Tuesday's match against West Indies, Marsh will also captain Australia in a three-match T20 series against New Zealand in February; their final scheduled run-out in the format before the World Cup in June.

"We'll see," Marsh said with a grin when asked whether he'd like to keep the captaincy for the World Cup.

"It's a real privilege to lead this team. It's a huge honour. 

"The playing group and coaching staff we've got at the moment make the job a lot easier."

Marsh tested positive to COVID-19 on the eve of the current series, meaning he had to be separated from his teammates.

Barking instructions from a distance and sitting in his own dressing room wasn't overly fun, but Marsh is now virus free and ready to resume as normal.

"Although we've won the series, we want to win 3-0. That represents an exciting opportunity for us," Marsh said.

The 32-year-old was in awe of teammate Glenn Maxwell, who thumped an unbeaten 120 off 55 balls in Adelaide on Sunday.

"He's a freak isn't he. He's an absolute pleasure to watch when he gets going like that," Marsh said.

Perth fans are looking forward to seeing hometown heroes Marsh, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis on Tuesday night.

But there will be no Lance Morris after the speed demon suffered a side strain while bowling during the one-day international series win against West Indies.

"He's going to have to learn that as someone who bowls 150 clicks (km/h), injuries can happen," Marsh said.

"He works hard, he's really fit, but unfortunately injuries do happen. 

"It's unfortunate timing for him, but I have no doubt he'll be back."

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