Australia captain Mitchell Marsh acknowledged that an extremely aggressive batting strategy won’t always be successful, but he stated that his side will stick with its attacking style in order to prepare for the T20 World Cup next year after losing the previous two.
In order to prepare for the showpiece that India and Sri Lanka will host in February and March of next year, Australia will play India in a five-match Twenty20 International series starting in Canberra on Wednesday. India won the most recent T20 World Cup in 2024, while Australia last won in 2021.
“We had two World Cups where we didn’t quite go all the way. And I guess we spoke about wanting to challenge ourselves as a team to what we think can win us to the World Cup,” Marsh said during the pre-series press conference on Tuesday.
“As a batting unit, we have played a lot more aggressively. I think that’s been the nature of T20 cricket for a lot of teams over the last few years.
“But yeah, if you look towards the World Cup in India, that’s certainly the way we’re going to play. We’re not going to get it right every time. We will fail. But we’re clear on how we want to go about it. That gives us the best chance for success. And hopefully that’s the case as we keep building.”
In the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups, Australia had finished in the Super 12 and Super 8.
“Look, they (India) are a fantastic team, one which we have great respect for and I think five-match series are going to provide a lot of excitement for the fans that are coming to watch,” he said.
“It’s two really good teams that are going to be going at it. So, looking forward to the challenge.”
Marsh stated that Australia was pleased with their collective improvement, but he would not comment on India’s World Cup preparations.
“I’m not really here to comment much on Indian side of preparation for the World Cup but I know that we’ve got eight games to go for us. And we’re really building nice as a team in the way we want to play and go about it.
“So, yeah, we feel great at the moment. But we know that it’s going to be a big series against India.”
Marsh is one of several Australian players who play regularly in the IPL, but the captain of the home team claimed that knowing the Indian players does not make the task any simpler.
“Not necessarily (more challenging). I think around world cricket there’s so much footage these days. Everyone watches everyone. The key is execution under pressure. That’s all it comes down to.”
With two hundreds and two half-centuries in his last ten innings, the Australian captain has been in excellent form at the top.
“I think it’s just like any other batsman, you want to contribute to winning games for Australia. That’s really all I’m focused on when I’m batting. I’m not really thinking as a captain,” Marsh said.
“I’m trying to have a really good partnership with Heady or whoever it is that I’m batting with. So hopefully it will continue.”
A number of players are moving in and out of Australia’s T20I team as Ashes preparations get underway.
Josh Hazlewood will leave after the first two games, Sean Abbott will leave after the third game, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa will miss the beginning of the series due to the birth of his second child.
“We do have guys coming in and out. But I think that’s been the nature of the white ball teams over the last couple of years with the schedules and how busy it is,” Marsh said.
“Some guys going back and playing shield cricket. Certain guys coming back from injury. So, I think it’s just about being really flexible with that. Each and every one understands their role when they do come into the team.
“It’s about being really clear on that. And then guys coming in and doing their job.”
