Mitchell Marsh will miss Australia’s game against England after flying back home from India just a day after Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of World Cup clash following freak golf accident

Australia will be without all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for Saturday’s game against England in Ahmedabad after he flew home for undisclosed personal reasons.

The news comes a day after it emerged that Glenn Maxwell – who earlier in the tournament hit a World Cup-record 40-ball century against the Netherlands – had been ruled out of the match after falling off the back of a golf buggy and suffering concussion.

A statement from Cricket Australia said: ‘Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has returned home from the World Cup 2023 late last night for personal reasons. 

A timeline on his return to the squad is to be confirmed. No further detail will be offered at this time.’

Cricket Australia said in a statement that Marsh has returned home for personal reasons

The double blow is likely to mean a return for another pair of all-rounders, with Marcus Stoinis back from a calf niggle, and Cameron Green set to get a game after featuring only twice in the tournament so far.

But if the loss of Maxwell had already deprived Australia of a big part of their middle-order explosiveness, Marsh’s departure looks almost as damaging. 

As a makeshift opener, filling in until the return of Travis Head, Marsh had made 52 off 51 balls against Sri Lanka, followed by a destructive 121 off 108, with nine sixes, against Pakistan.

Steve Smith, who has batted at No 4 in two of Australia’s last three games, is likely to return to his favoured slot at No 3, while Marnus Labuschagne, whose tournament strike-rate is as low as 77, is set to retain his place.