Mitchell Marsh

One among the long list of athletes of the Marsh family in Australia, son of Geoff Marsh, younger brother of Shaun, Mitchell Marsh, is recognized as one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, as well as being very handy as a medium pacer.

At the mere age of 17, Mitchell became the youngest Australian to play the domestic One-Day Cup in February 2009. A year later, the Perth-born led Australia in the 2010 U19 World Cup, where Australia eventually won. Post the junior World Cup, the promising all-rounder got an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract from Deccan Chargers for the 2010 edition. 

After a successful IPL with the ball, Marsh had his international debut in the shortest format against South Africa, at the Wanderers in 2011. Later in that tour, he broke into the 50-over format as well. Post that, the young gun got picked by his home team, Perth Scorchers, in the inaugural edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). For the next two years, the all-rounder plied his trade in franchise cricket and just a couple of limited-overs games, before making a stunning return to international cricket in 2014. 

The hard-hitting all-rounder played a jaw-dropping knock of 89 runs in a tri-series ODI game against Zimbabwe in 2014, followed up with an unbeaten 86 against the Proteas in the same tournament. On the back of his flashes of brilliance in the ODIs, the Perth-born earned his Test cap against Pakistan, in Dubai, and smacked 87 & 74 runs in his second Test match, at Abu Dhabi. 

Seeing the all-rounder’s calibre and potential, the national selectors named Mitchell in the 2015 World Cup squad, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. He didn’t get many opportunities in the event, as the all-round department was handled by Shane Watson, James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell. Marsh played just three games and got a five-for against England. 

Post Watson’s retirement in 2016, Marsh became Australia’s first-choice fast-bowling all-rounder, but recurring injuries sidelined him and Marcus Stoinis took over the role in the national team. Marsh was initially not picked in the 2019 World Cup squad but later flew to England as a cover for the injured Stoinis during the event. 

The injury-prone player made a comeback in the 2019-20 Ashes but featured only in the Oval Test and took his maiden Test five-for, albeit in a losing cause.

Over the years, the all-rounder has played for various franchises across the globe. After representing Deccan Chargers earlier, Pune Warriors India bought the all-rounder’s services for the 2011 IPL, and then Rising Pune Supergiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad bagged his services. Furthermore, he also featured for Nagenahira Nagas in the Sri Lanka Premier League. 

Marsh’s clean-striking and ability to bowl testing deliveries make him a brilliant package. However, the injury-prone all-rounder must focus on his fitness to cover his missed time.

His turning point came in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Australia's title-winning campaign. Batting at No. 3, he delivered a match-winning 77* off 50 balls in the final against New Zealand, guiding Australia to its first T20 World Cup triumph. His aggressive stroke play and composure under pressure established him as a key figure in white-ball cricket. 

Following his World Cup heroics, Marsh became a regular in Australia's limited-overs setup. In 2022, he featured in the T20 World Cup on home soil, although Australia couldn't defend its title. During this period, he also participated in franchise leagues worldwide, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing Delhi Capitals.

In 2023, Marsh’s stature in Australian cricket grew further when he was named vice-captain of the ODI team. Later that year, he played a crucial role in Australia's 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph, contributing with both bat and ball. His attacking approach provided Australia with quick starts, and he also chipped in with vital breakthroughs as a medium pacer. 

With Pat Cummins resting during certain series, Marsh led the Australian team in limited-overs matches. His leadership qualities were evident as he captained Australia to series victories, proving his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his teammates.

On the domestic front, Marsh continued to be a mainstay for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL). He played crucial knocks and remained a senior figure in the dressing room. His presence in Sheffield Shield cricket for Western Australia also helped nurture young talents.

Mitchell Marsh was initially named in Australia’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he was ruled out of the tournament due to a lower back injury. His absence was a significant blow to the team, as he had been a key player in Australia’s white-ball setup. Without him, Australia still managed to reach the semi-finals but was ultimately eliminated, missing out on a chance to claim the title.

Despite his injury, Marsh remained a valuable player in franchise cricket. He was signed by the Lucknow SuperGiants for IPL 2025, where he is expected to play a crucial role once he recovers. His power-hitting ability and all-round skills add depth to the Lucknow squad, making him an important figure in their campaign.

(As of March 2025)