Marsh seeks IPL redemption after disappointing T20 World Cup
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
April 22 : Mitchell Marsh is trying to put a disappointing Twenty20 World Cup campaign behind him but the Australian all-rounder concedes he has yet to hit his stride in the Indian Premier League with the Lucknow Super Giants in urgent need of some inspiration.
Marsh delivered a stellar performance in the IPL last year, scoring 627 runs at an average of 48.23, including his highest score in the format with an innings of 117 off 64 balls against Gujarat Titans.
But he has fallen far short of those lofty levels this year, with the 34-year-old accumulating only 155 runs in the first six matches, averaging 25.83.
With a run of three straight defeats leaving Lucknow ninth of the IPL's 10 teams, Marsh knows he needs to find form fast.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
"I probably haven't got going. I think you can maybe search a little bit too much at times," Marsh told Reuters.
"I know that I'm probably one or two boundaries away from really getting going and it's about being consistent with my preparations and knowing that it will come."
With only two wins from their first six games, Lucknow are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third year in a row, but Marsh says there is time to turn things around.
"It's a long tournament and we've got great belief that we can challenge the best teams in the competition ... I think if we can put together a full 40 overs as a unit, we're going to be very hard to break," he said.
Marsh played a key role in helping Perth Scorchers win the Big Bash League in January and was primed to play a big role in Australia's T20 World Cup in February-March but a groin injury hampered his campaign.
Defeats by Zimbabwe and co-hosts Sri Lanka sealed Australia's first group stage exit since 2009.
"Pretty much every game is a knockout game with the way that it's structured up ... one failure can cost you a spot in the knockout stage," said Marsh, who did not want to discuss how the squad dealt with the early exit.
"Those conversations have happened behind closed doors," he added.
Marsh said his focus was now on helping Lucknow win their first IPL trophy.
"I've got great faith in this group ... our best cricket is ahead of us," he added.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app