Mitch Marsh's defiant response amid furore around photo with Cricket World Cup trophy
The photo after the World Cup final had Indian cricket fans fuming.
Mitch Marsh has responded to the controversy surrounding a photo that emerged after the World Cup final that prompted outrage within the Indian cricket community. Pat Cummins' men pulled out a masterclass in the World Cup final to leave Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team stunned.
Australia silenced plenty of their doubters and celebrations followed as the team enjoyed a triumph after months away from home during a difficult World Cup campaign. And Marsh infuriated diehard Indian cricket fans even more when a photo emerged of him resting his feet on the World Cup trophy.
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Marsh's move was labelled 'disrespectful' as Indian fans came to terms with losing the final in such devastating fashion. And after remaining quiet for some time over the controversy, Marsh has addressed the anger and claimed there was no disrespect meant in the photo. But he also dismissed the backlash.
“Yeah probably (would do it again), to be honest,” Marsh said on SEN Radio. “There was obviously no disrespect meant in that photo at all. I haven’t given it too much thought, I haven’t seen a lot on social media even though everyone tells me it’s gone off. There’s nothing in that.”
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami was one player that took taken aim at Marsh over the photo of him putting his feet on the World Cup trophy. The fast-bowler was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and admitted the photo made him angry having seen it in the aftermath.
“I am hurt,” he told reporters on Friday. “The trophy for which all the teams in the world fight, the trophy which you want to lift over your head, keeping a foot on that trophy did not make me happy.” Marsh was quick to dismiss the controversy and admitted he was already with the team planning for the Test summer ahead.
Mitchell Marsh ready to retain Test position
Marsh made a sensational return to the Australian Test XI during the Ashes having returned in the place of Cameron Green to make a century. He is set to retain his position as the team's allrounder for the Test series against Pakistan in the Australian summer. Warner will retire after the series, leaving a position at the top of the order free when the West Indies travel.
Coach Andrew McDonald has backed Green to comeback into the team if he performs at Sheffield Shield level. And that is exactly what he did on last Thursday. Green smashed 16 boundaries on his way to 96 as he helped Western Australia recover from 3-29 in the Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland.
While he still has a while to go before convincing everyone he is back in form, Green started off his summer in superb form. Mist recently, Ricky Ponting called for Cameron Bancroft to be given a go against the West Indies at the top of the order when Warner retires.
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