Cricket
4 hours ago
Marsh ruled out with horror injury as Smith flies in
By SEN
T20 Captain Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of Australia's opening match of the World Cup in another huge injury blow to the Aussie campaign.
Marsh was set to open for the Aussies against Ireland tonight, however, will miss the match with a groin injury.
Marsh suffered a blow to the groin during training earlier this week, which led to internal testicular bleeding, and will miss the match as he continues to recover.
Steve Smith will now join the side in Sri Lanka as cover but may not yet be called into the squad unless required.
Smith won't play in tonight's match against Ireland.
Astatement from Cricket Australia said: "Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week. He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement.
"Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice.
"Standby player Steve Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to acclimatise and prepare, should he be required."
Australia is the only side yet to play a game in the tournament. Ireland lost their opener against Sri Lanka.
The Aussies are somewhat depleted having already lost key quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the tournament, while power hitter Tim David misses with a hamstring concern.
With David out, Australia will need to find a replacement in the middle order, and while it’s a batting position they need to fill, their eye will be on spin bowling.
With spin dominating the games so far in Colombo, SEN The New Ball duo Tom Morris and Bharat Sundaresan discussed how they think Australia will line up.
Will it be Cooper Connolly into the side to give the Aussies five spin options? Or will late call up Matt Renshaw get a crack due to his quality against spin bowling?
Morris: “There’s no surprises that spin will dominate this World Cup, particularly in Sri Lanka.
“It feels like runs will be harder to come by in Sri Lanka than what they will be across in India, and at Colombo in particular.
“For the Sri Lanka v Ireland game, there was 25 overs of spin from a possible 40. Based on that, how will Australia line-up?
“You’re playing Zampa, and you’re playing one of Connolly or Kuhnemann, while using Glenn Maxwell and maybe even Travis Head as well.
“Now that Tim David's not gonna play, how do you think Australia's set up?”
Sundaresan: “In my opinion, that opens the door for Cooper Connolly maybe to come in to the top 7 (and play three spinners). Or they have the Renshaw option.
“It won't just be spin dominated, but the bowlers who will thrive will be those who can change the pace or take pace of the ball, which is why I think Nathan Ellis will be a huge feature for Australia.
“So, yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it is Cooper Connolly who comes in.
“If Connolly is playing in the top 7, then I think they'd be well advised to play Kuhnemann as well.
“I think you'll need a left-arm spinner to open the bowling as well in those conditions so that you can keep Ellis for the depth which is where his strength lies.”
Morris: “I get the feeling that if Australia wants a number five, it'll be Renshaw, but if it wants a number 7, it'll be Connolly.”
While Morris and Sundaresan are unsure which way the Aussies will lean, Ian Healy is expecting Renshaw to get the nod.
He named his preferred XI on SENQ Breakfast with Coz and Heals, going with Renshaw over Connolly and Ben Dwarshius over Xavier Bartlett in the pace department.
Healy's Aussie XI v Ireland (pre-Marsh injury)
Mitch Marsh (c) Travis Head Matthew Renshaw. Cameron Green Glenn Maxwell Marcus Stoinis Josh Inglis (wk) Ben Dwarshius Matt Kuhnemann Adam Zampa Nathan Ellis
The first ball of Wednesday’s big game is set for 8:30pm (AEDT). Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN - your home of cricket.
