Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh insists Australia have moved on from the “drama” that marred last year’s Ashes Test with England, ahead of their return to Lord’s. The Baggy Greens under Mitchell Marsh lead England 2-1 in the ongoing ODI series heading into the fourth instalment on Friday. Australia will return to Lord’s on Friday for the first time since last year’s Ashes row, with captain Mitchell Marsh confident a controversial incident involving wicketkeeper Alex Carey is firmly in the past.
It will be Australia’s first visit to Lord’s since unsavory scenes involving their players and spectators ensued during the notorious Ashes Test. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh says his side have moved on from the dramatic scenes of last year’s Ashes Test at Lord’s as they get set to return to the ground.
Alex Carey’s unhappy experience at Lord’s during Ashes 2023
It’s just over a year since a fiery Ashes Test between the two sides at Lord’s saw Alex Carey – expected to feature for Australia again on Friday – stump Jonny Bairstow in controversial fashion, prompting some unsavory scenes between spectators and some visiting players in the Long Room.
An MCC member was ultimately banned for life for his involvement, while two more were suspended for “abusive, offensive or inappropriate behavior or language” toward Australia players. Alex Carey struggled for runs over the remainder of last year’s Ashes, managing a top score of 28 over the final four Tests as the spotlight shone on him after his involvement in Bairstow’s stumping.
But the Australia wicketkeeper has impressed on his return to these shores in the ODI series, hitting 74 in a winning cause in the second ODI at Headingly, before top-scoring again with an unbeaten 77 in the third ODI in Durham. Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh insists his team-mates are motivated by last year’s events and would like to win in 2024 at the venue which give them some bitter memories a year ago.
-Mitchell Marsh on Ashes 2023 saga ahead of ENG vs AUS 2024 4th ODI at Lord’s
With the fourth ODI between Australia and England on the horizon at the Lord’s, visiting captain Mitchell Marsh insisted that they have moved on from the Ashes 2023 controversy. The seam-bowling all-rounder claimed that Lord’s is amongst his favorite venues to play cricket in.
Tensions flared between the two sides during the second Ashes Test last year where Aussie keeper Alex Carey affected a contentious run-out to dismiss Jonny Bairstow. The English crowd kept booing the visiting side from that point on. David Warner and Usman Khawaja were almost involved in a physical altercation with the members at Lord’s.
Mitchell Marsh was asked whether the Australian team has had conversations about the Ashes saga ahead of their return to Lord’s on Friday, September 27. He said there hasn’t been and believes such things keep happening during the Ashes. The West Australian said, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“No, there hasn’t. We’ve really moved on from that. I think there’s always excitement playing at Lord’s. It’s the greatest ground in the world, bar the WACA, of course – the history and the tradition here, it’s always a fantastic place to play.
“Obviously these things happen in Ashes Test matches. There’s not a series that goes by that doesn’t have some sort of drama.”
A lot will be at stake for England, who managed to keep the five-match ODI series alive by winning the third game at Chester-Le-Street. With Australia still leading the series 2-1, the hosts must win to take it to the series decider in Bristol.
“Alex certainly loves playing in England” – Mitchell Marsh
With Carey notching up two half-centuries in two games, Marsh denied the events of last year motivating him but insisted that they love playing on English soil. He added:
“I don’t think that’s in his character. But Alex certainly loves playing in England. We all do. The fans are always incredible, and it’s always a tough challenge playing against England, so I think he’s just wrapped to be back here playing for Australia.”
The preceding three-match T20I series between the two sides resulted in a draw. Australia lead 2-1 in the series heading into the final two matches, with Mitchell Marsh adding that two key players missing in their third ODI defeat – Travis Head and Adam Zampa – “will hopefully both be back” fit to return at Lord’s.