In a major blow to Australia, star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the white-ball matches against Pakistan due to a hip flexor injury. Marsh was hit with the injury on Monday, a day before the start of the ODI series versus Pakistan.
While Marsh will not be involved in the cricketing action for some time, he heads to India to join the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) and continue his recovery with the team physio Patrick Farhat. The 30-year-old will undergo a mandatory quarantine period and then link up with the Capitals squad before starting his recovery journey.
"Marsh will travel to India to link with the Delhi Capitals squad where former Australian and current New South Wales physiotherapist Pat Farhart will manage his recovery following an isolation period," the Cricket Australia statement read.
"Being able to focus on my recovery without the travel and isolation break is the best approach. I am disappointed to miss the Pakistan series but look forward to re-joining the Australian squad for our next tour," Marsh said.
The Aussie all-rounder was picked for INR 6.5 crore by the Delhi-based franchise in the mega auction. He was initially expected to miss out on the first three matches for DC, but now the hip injury raises uncertainties about his IPL dreams.
Meanwhile, Australia earned a convincing win over Pakistan yesterday even in the absence of Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. The two teams will now meet each other in the second ODI of the ongoing series, scheduled on 31st March at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.