Mitch Marsh says Australia is suffering from an Ashes hangover
AUSTRALIA was blown off the park by England in the opening ODI of the series and star all-rounder Mitch Marsh believes the host are feeling the effects of their Ashes success.
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MITCH Marsh has admitted Australia may have been suffering from an Ashes hangover but that wasn’t the reason for their shock one-day defeat to England.
The Aussies were humbled for the first time this summer by England in Sunday’s first one-day international at the MCG.
The five-wicket win was England’s only real highlight of a deplorable summer in Australia and came despite the home side racking up a more than competitive total of 8-304.
After winning the Ashes 4-nil, Australia was favoured to make light work of England in the five-match ODI series but must now bounce back in Friday’s day-nighter at the Gabba.
The team has been given two days to rest at home following Sunday’s loss before reconvening in Brisbane to begin preparations for the Gabba clash.
Marsh continued his solid form with 50 (68 balls) while opener Aaron Finch (107) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (60) helped Australia to a commanding total.
But after a gruelling Ashes series, fast bowlers Mitchell Starc (2-71) and Pat Cummins (2-63) were blasted by England opener Jason Roy on his way to a record 180.
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Marsh, who arrived in Brisbane on Monday because returning to Perth was too taxing, said fatigue may have played a part in Australia’s poor performance with the white ball.
“There may be an element of that but from a momentum perspective we were really up and about,” he said.
“When you’re playing for your country there is no such thing as being tired or going into games tired.
“We prepared really well. We were up and about. We just had an off day.
“We’ve got today and tomorrow off. We’ll recover as best as we can and get stuck into it.”
Roy had been in terrible form for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, failing to pass 21 in six digs before his national call-up.
But he came out blazing against Australia and set up England’s comfortable win with the highest score in England’s 50-over history.
After a mediocre Ashes series, England captain Joe Root struck a crucial unbeaten 91 to show Australia there is some fight left in the visitors.
“We certainly do have a series on our hands,” Marsh said.
“England are a very good one-day team and have been for the last 18 months.
“They play a great style for fans to watch. They are very attacking.
“Jason Roy’s innings took the game away. Hopefully that’s the last time he does that in this series.
“His first 50 or 60 runs were chanceless. In that first 10 overs he took the game away from us.
“We will have to come up with some plans in the next game.”
Marsh said Australia’s inability to defend a total in excess of 300 was not a concern.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a concern — 300 these days is pretty much par on the flatter wickets that we play on,” he said.
“I thought we could have started better with the ball. We had an off day.
“We need to make sure we come on Friday and take a few early wickets in the first few overs.”
Originally published as Mitch Marsh says Australia is suffering from an Ashes hangover