'I'm out of the race'- Mitchell Marsh on prospect of leading Australian white-ball side in future

With Aaron Finch's ODI retirement, the Australian selectors as well as the team management have constantly been looking for contenders who can be the T20 World Cup-winning skipper's worthy successor. Meanwhile, seasoned all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has ruled himself out of this race.

Marsh made it clear that he is not interested in the leadership role and would rather focus on improving his personal game. As of now, the middle-order batter is keenly focused on the upcoming T20 World Cup at home where the Aussies would be hoping to retain their title.

It's really not something I've thought about: Mitchell Marsh

"Probably not to be honest, I'm out of the race. I've had to get the body right for this World Cup. The World Cup is such an exciting prospect for all of us, to worry about that sort of stuff [captaincy] is just not on my radar at the moment”, said Mitchell Marsh as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

"Cricket Australia has a decision to make after the World Cup...it's really not something I've thought about”, he added.

Mitchell Marsh had missed the home ODI series against Zimbabwe and the away T20Is against India due to an ankle injury. He is currently taking part in the home T20Is against arch-rivals England. In the series opener, the all-rounder had scored a 26-ball 36.

Australia suffered an eight-run loss in that contest. Marsh would be hoping to prove a point when both teams lock horns in the second game at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Wednesday, October 12.

Marsh would be expected to work in tandem along with the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Tim David as Australia begin their T20 World Cup title defence against Trans-Tasman rivals and last year's final opponents New Zealand at the SCG on Saturday, October 22. 

Mitchell Marsh who had played a match-winning knock in the last year's T20 World Cup final in Dubai would be looking forward to showcasing more of such consistent performances in this year's tournament.