‘Australia hates me’: Entire country owes Mitch Marsh an apology

Mitch Marsh knew how so many Australian cricket fans really felt about him for years — but that’s all forgotten after his latest heroics.

Nobody was happier for Marsh than his teammates. (Photo by Indranil Mukherjee / AFP)

It’s hugs all around for the man Australia loved to hate.

Mitchell Marsh is the most maligned cricketer of his generation but he enjoyed the sweetest redemption of all by guiding his country to victory in the T20 World Cup final on Monday morning.

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The Aussies beat New Zealand by eight wickets, chasing the Kiwis’ total of 4/172 with seven balls remaining thanks to 53 off 38 balls from David Warner and Marsh’s unbeaten 77 from just 50 deliveries.

It was the highest point of a career that has seen plenty of lows — be it through injury or form woes.

Back in 2019 Marsh was under no illusions about how cricket fans perceived him, the all-rounder admitting his reputation as an unfulfilled talent with limitless potential that had yet to be unlocked was hardly kind to him.

“Yeah, most of Australia hate me,” Marsh said during the Ashes two years ago.

If anyone can relate to Marsh’s journey, it’s ex-Australian star Shane Watson — the supremely talented yet perennially under-appreciated all-rounder.

“This innings alone is the making of him,” Watson said in commentary during the decider. “Because of his injuries he hasn’t had a consistent run all the time. But people didn’t really understand the true skill Mitch Marsh has got.

“Now they will certainly know — under pressure to be able to perform the way that he has.”

Take a bow, Mitch Marsh. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

Marsh has been in and out of Australian teams in all formats his entire career but made himself indispensable in the T20 outfit this year. Averaging 23.45 in 15 matches up until the end of 2020, the aggressive right-hander hit new heights in 2021.

He plundered 627 runs across 21 matches with six fifties at an average of 36.88.

Marsh was promoted to No. 3 in hugely impressive T20 series against the West Indies and Bangladesh, leading teammate Glenn Maxwell to make a bold claim before the World Cup got underway.

“Mitch Marsh is going to have a massive tournament. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone hit the ball better — ever,” Maxwell said.

“We all gathered around his nets and just watched him hit the ball – it’s been pretty extraordinary.

“I’d be really surprised if he didn’t have a good tournament … he’s flying.”

Maxwell’s prophecy was right. But an underwhelming start to the campaign that saw Marsh left out of the side that lost to England led some to question whether the Aussie hierarchy had quickly lost faith in him.

Marsh returned and a half century against the West Indies showed he was still as dangerous as ever. But he saved his best for when it mattered most, nailing his first ball against the Kiwis today for six after coming to the crease when Aaron Finch departed in the third over for five.

It was a sign of things to come, as he belted four maximums in total along with six fours to secure Australia the major trophy that had eluded it for 14 years.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. (Photo by Indranil Mukherjee / AFP)

World reacts to Marsh masterclass

Teammate Marcus Stoinis was showing Marsh the love when interviewed after the match.

“We love each other, I’m so proud of this team,” Stoinis said. “You won’t find bigger supporters of Mitch Marsh than us and his family.”

Broadcaster Gerard Whateley tweeted: “Mitch Marsh. That is all … Time to love him.”

Fellow radio star Andy Maher wrote: “This is the game of cricket Mitch Marsh deserved.”

Journalist Mark Di Stefano captured the mood when he said: “Issuing a correction on behalf of the country for past tweets about Mitch Marsh. His class was never in doubt.”

Aussie comedian Andy Lee said: “Hats off to the @CricketAus team. Mitch Marsh is such a good bloke and equally as good a player. Amazing game! Super win.”

Sports reporter Scott Bailey added: “Very hard not to be happy for Mitch Marsh. Hope this knock gets the credit it deserves when Australia wakes up.”

Cricket writer Matt Roller tweeted: “What a moment for Mitch Marsh: man of the match in a T20 World Cup final and his best mates Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa are the first two running on to embrace him.”

Regularly panned for being selected when things weren't going well for Test & ODI sides, it's terrific to see one of cricket's good guys - Mitch Marsh - shine on the big stage #ICCT20WorldCup

— Dale Miller (@miller_dj) November 14, 2021

The Aussies are world champs. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)