"It’ll be like playing at Headingley" - Mitchell Marsh expects more support for defending champions in Barbados in ENG vs AUS T20 World Cup 2024 match
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh expects a partisan crowd in favour of England when the two sides lock horns on Saturday at Bridgetown in Barbados. The West Australian believes it will be similar to playing at a venue like Headingley.
England will face Australia in what is an almost must-win encounter for the defending champions. Jos Buttler and Co. endured a washout against Scotland at the same venue a few days ago, making it even more critical to defeat their arch-rivals.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Marsh said, as quoted by Perth Now:
"I dare say this place will be full and it’ll be mostly English fans, so it’ll be like playing at Headingley all over again, or anywhere in England where you get sprayed. The atmosphere, the vibe of the game, there’s always a lot riding on it."
The seam-bowling all-rounder also confirmed the return of Pat Cummins, who is likely to play in place of Nathan Ellis.
"I dare say Patty will be back in. He’d played a lot of cricket, had a long travel from the IPL and we wanted to make sure he was cherry ripe for this game. It’s as simple as that.”
Australia's bowlers were disciplined in their opening match defeat of Oman. There was also a minor injury scare for Mitchell Starc, but Marsh confirmed that it was only cramps.
"They were the best team throughout the whole tournament" - Mitchell Marsh on England at T20 World Cup 2022
The 32-year-old also addressed England's victory at the 2022 T20 World Cup, claiming the latter were the best side throughout the tournament and thoroughly deserved to lift the trophy.
"Any team that wins it when you’re not, it’s always hard to watch. I’m not sure ‘annoying’ is the right word. I’ve got a few mates there. But I think if you look back at that World Cup, they were the best team throughout the whole tournament and they deserved it. So, we start fresh again here and hopefully it’s us, not them, this time," he told reporters.
Buttler and Co. defeated Pakistan at the MCG to become only the second side to win the T20 World Cup twice.