Mitchell March believes he can compete with the world’s finest

• Mitchell Marsh believes he can compete with the world’s finest.
• He will make his international comeback in the T20I against Sri Lanka.
• March will probably be included in the ODI squad against Sri Lanka.

Mitchell Marsh believes for the first time in his career that he can compete with the world’s finest. And after ten years of international cricket, the distinction is evident.

Marsh will make his return to international cricket in Tuesday’s Twenty20 International between Australia and Sri Lanka in Colombo. It will be Marsh’s first match since he was the hero of Australia’s T20 World Cup victory last year.

Read more: Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka finally ready to host event despite economic, political tensions

Since then, border constraints and an injury in Pakistan have prevented him from playing international cricket, despite his dominance in the BBL and IPL.

However, he has no doubt that he is in a vastly different position than the player who fought his way back into Australia’s white-ball teams by playing vital roles in understrength national sides before the T20 World Cup last year.

“As I have got a bit older and gained more experience, I have started to understand what works for me when it comes to preparation,” Marsh said from Colombo. “International cricket is really hard, but you have to believe you belong here.

“Over the last 12 months, I have gained the belief that my best can match it with any player in the world.

“I think all the best players in the world have that mentality. That mentality allows me to go out there and play freely. Being present throughout games and my lead-up to every game and every tour. It’s allowed me to have my most consistent 12 months of cricket.”

Read more: Australia announce jam-packed summer calendar

Marsh attributes his international revival to consistency in his role, having become a permanent fixture at No. 3 in Twenty20 cricket and entering the game during the powerplay. However, the West Australian’s place in one-day cricket is less certain.

Marsh has participated in 10 of the nation’s 19 ODIs since losing out on the World Cup selection in 2019. In Australia’s most recent ODIs against West Indies in June, he batted at No. 3 and No. 4, although the lineup was weakened.

Mitchell Marsh will very probably play in Australia’s upcoming five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka, as the team has returned to near full strength.

Theoretically, he will have his first opportunity to qualify for next year’s ODI World Cup in similar conditions in India.

Read more: Australia’s Finch hopes tour brings ‘joy’ to crisis-hit Sri Lanka

“I think about the last 12 months and 18 months seems a long way away,” Marsh said. “There’s no doubt that with the World Cups we have coming up, as a professional sportsperson that is what you strive for and want to be part of.

“Having been part of the T20 World Cup, having been part briefly of the 2015 World Cup win, the feeling [from those]…is probably the motivation.

“It’s not to get my spot or keep my spot…it’s to keep working hard to make sure I am there if we are in a position to win another World Cup for Australia and feel that again.”

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com