June 23rd 2024.
Kingstown: After suffering a surprising 21-run defeat to Afghanistan, Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh remains optimistic about his team's chances in their upcoming Super Eights match against unbeaten India. Despite the setback, Marsh has full confidence in his team's abilities and believes they will bounce back in the crucial do-or-die game.
"We have a strong belief in our group. We know we are a talented cricket team. Yes, last night was a rough one, but the silver lining is that we have another chance in just 36 hours. Our team has a history of performing well under pressure, so I have no doubt that the boys will be ready for this challenge," Marsh said confidently during the post-match press conference.
He emphasized the importance of trusting themselves and their skills, stating that when they are at their best, they can compete with the top teams in the world. Marsh also acknowledged the team's poor fielding performance, with five dropped catches and a missed stumping, which he admitted was not up to their usual standards.
"There are many things we can look at, but the reality is that in close matches like this, every little mistake matters. We take pride in our fielding, so it was disappointing to see us struggle in that aspect last night. However, we have a short turnaround and I still believe that when we are at our best, we are an exceptional fielding side," he added.
One decision that has been a topic of discussion is Australia's exclusion of Mitchell Starc and inclusion of left-arm spinner Ashton Agar in the playing XI. Marsh defended the decision, stating that it was based on the conditions and their strategy to make the most out of the spin-friendly pitch in St Vincent.
"Leaving out someone like Starc is always a tough call. But we have always maintained that we have a strong squad of 15 players, and we will pick a team that we believe can win us the game in those particular conditions. We felt that Agar was the best option for us last night, and he proved us right with his brilliant performance of one for 24 in four overs," explained Marsh.
He also added that in a team with so much talent, there will always be someone who will miss out, but he did not believe that the game was lost solely because of the decision to omit Starc. In conclusion, Marsh remains positive and determined to turn things around in their next match.
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