Perth Scorchers superstar Mitchell Marsh has capped off a stunning calendar year by winning his first Allan Border Medal at the Australian Cricket Awards tonight.
Marsh Takes Home Coveted Allan Border Medal
Marsh is just the third Western Australian to claim the nation’s highest cricketing honour, following in the footsteps of greats Adam Gilchrist (2003) and Mitchell Johnson (2014).
His name now sits proudly on a decorated winners list that also features Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins, among other national heroes, past and present.
The explosive allrounder was dominant across all formats in 2023, making meaningful contributions in memorable Ashes and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup campaigns.
Recalled to the Test team in July, Marsh immediately franked his selection with a thrilling counter-attacking century against England in Leeds.
Marsh strode to the crease with Australia 4-85 and left with the score on 5-240; his run-a-ball 118 forged against the play in conditions tailormade for England’s pace attack.
He defied similarly testing Manchester conditions to strike a breezy 51, before grinding 31 not-out in the second innings to keep his side alive until heavy rain saw the contest called off.
All told, Marsh’s Ashes campaign yielded 250 runs from six innings, while his series average of 50 was bettered only by rivals Zak Crawley (53.33) and Joe Root (51.50).
The impact Marsh had during the World Cup in India was equally noteworthy, standing tall to attain what many experts regard as Australia’s crowning ODI achievement.
Stationed in the top three throughout the tournament, Marsh blasted 441 runs at 49 from 10 innings with two centuries, one half-century, and an impressive strike rate (107.56).
Hundreds against Pakistan (121 from 108) and Bangladesh (177no from 132) reinforced the Fremantle product’s match-winning qualities.
Marsh’s three T20I innings – all overseas against South Africa – produced 186 runs from 100 deliveries for the loss of one wicket, and a career-best 92no from 49 deliveries in Durban.
With ball in hand, Marsh was both economical and reliable, showcasing excellent control in white and coloured clothing.
As a leader, his stature is growing. Having never previously captained his country, the WA skipper held the reins for five ODIs and three T20Is during the white ball tour of South Africa.
Marsh will lead the country again in Australia's Dettol T20 series against the West Indies next month, this time with the badge of Allan Border Medalist next to his byline.