NZ v AUS 2024: "Our top order is pretty set"- Australia captain Mitchell Marsh ahead of first T20I

The first T20I will be played on February 21 in Wellington.

By Jatin Sharma - 20 Feb, 2024

Australia T20I captain Mitchell Marsh revealed the team's top batting order ahead of the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand. The three T20I series will begin on February 21 in Wellington and the other two matches will be played on February 23 and 25 in Auckland.

The two teams will then move to playing two Tests, which will be hosted by Wellington from February 29 and Christchurch from March 8th.

Marsh stated that the top three positions are "pretty much set," with him batting third and Travis Head and David Warner starting the innings. Marsh himself is slated to bat at three with Glenn Maxwell and Tim David being the enforcers in the middle order.

When asked about his team's preparations, Marsh acknowledged that "our top order is pretty set" but added that few of the 15-member squad in New Zealand are expected to play all three matches over the next six days and given no suggestions about the likely middle-order lineup. However, he did not disclose Steve Smith's position.

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"You'll have to find out, we'll announce our team at the toss. There will be certain guys that probably bat in different positions than they have done in the past, but ultimately we're here to win the series. I've batted three for the last 18 months, so I'll be there to start with. And obviously Heady and Davey Warner have been amazing for us over the last period of time, so I daresay that will be the top three," the 32-year-old was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Marsh feels Australia's batting depth will continually put them in a position to continue attacking.

"I thought the way we batted was really impressive, in terms of our ability to just keep going. There were moments when we lost early wickets but one of the things I want from us is to make sure we're backing our skill no matter what. That may look ugly at times, but I think we've got a team that bats right down to eight or nine and can really apply pressure with the bat," he elaborated.

This would be the last bilateral series for the Australian side ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup.

(ANI inputs)

By Jatin Sharma - 20 Feb, 2024

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