Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Mitch Marsh is confident the ghosts of Australia’s ball-tampering scandal won’t distract the team heading into the ODI series against England.
The three-match ODI series begins at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Friday, but all the talk in Australian cricket has been centred on Usman Khawaja’s explosive ball-tampering claims.
Khawaja said the entire team – not just Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith – knew about the plan to tamper with the ball during the 2018 Test tour of South Africa.
White-ball skipper Marsh was part of the Test XI during that infamous 2018 Test in Cape Town, and was elevated to the vice-captaincy alongside Josh Hazlewood later that year after leadership members Smith and Warner copped 12-month bans.
During an uncomfortable press conference in Perth on Thursday, Marsh refused to give his version of events on the sandpaper scandal that marked the 2018 series.
But he’s adamant the allegations haven’t rocked the current ODI squad ahead of their clash with England.
With star pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood rested from the one-dayers against England, Marsh is the only member of the Test XI from that Cape Town Test who is in the current ODI squad.
“I think that’s probably been the easiest part of the week for us as a group because most of the guys in this group were 15 years old playing grade cricket back then,” Marsh replied when asked if the resurfacing of the ball-tampering drama had been a distraction.
“We haven’t spoken about it. I’ve got a really excited group.
“I know it’s sort of been lost in this week, but Australia versus England to kick off a summer is really exciting, and I’m sure it’s going to be a great series.”
The ODI World Cup in Africa is still 11 months away, but with Australia not set to play any ODI cricket for about eight months following the series against England, the upcoming three matches hold extra significance.
Mahli Beardman will make his ODI debut on Friday, while the likes of Ollie Peake, Jack Edwards and Liam Scott might also get chances to prove their worth.
While one eye is on development and the World Cup, nothing short of winning against England would make Marsh happy.
“I think every game is so important to win,” he said.
“We obviously have a few guys missing from our bowling attack with the Test guys resting throughout this period.
“We’ve got a batting line-up that I see being at that World Cup, and it’s where we end up with a batting order (that is up in the air). Lots of opportunity.”
