You Believed in Me, Can't Thank you Enough': Emotional Mitchell Marsh After Receiving Allan Border Medal - WATCH

The 2024 Australian Cricket Awards took place today and it saw the all-rounder, Mitchell Marsh receive the prestigious Allan Border Medal for the best ODI player. As Marsh came up to receive the award and give his speech, he was emotional as he thanked his captain and coach for their support as the all-rounder went on to have a fantastic year for the Australian side.

Marsh thanked his teammates and shared his pride for having contributed to the side’s successful year across all formats. He said, “To my teammates. I just love playing in this team. I have had so much fun in the last 12-18 months. We have had so much team success and I am proud to contribute to that over this period.”

The Australian all-rounder was almost brought to tears as he thanked his coach and skipper for their backing. Marsh was under massive criticism from former cricketers and internet trolls for his lack of performance earlier in his career. But after being backed by the head coach Andrew McDonald, he managed to reinvigorate his career to become one of Australia’s premier all-rounders across all formats.

An emotional Mitchell Marsh was thankful for the opportunities he received, he said, “I would particularly like to thank Ronny (Andrew McDonald) and Patty (Pat Cummins). You believed in me and I can’t thank you enough for believing in me.”

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His speech had it all. Just like his ability to produce entertaining cricket with both bat and ball, he was able to replicate that on the mic as he brought the Australian crowd some smiles with his comedy as well. He said during his speech,”I’m a bit fat at times and I love a beer, but you see the best in me always. Playing under you has been an absolute dream.”

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His humility in not seeing himself as one of the big stars was also on display as he revealed his awkwardness in receiving the award when he saw the other players who were among the list of winners. “One of my friends sent me today the list (of previous winners), and I just thought if I win, it’s going to look weird. To think that I’ve joined some of the legends of our sport, it really is a huge honour. I can’t believe it.”

Marsh joins the likes of Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and many other notable Australian cricketers who have received the prestigious Allan Border Medal.

He will now have a new role in the Australian T20I side as he is set to lead the side against the West Indies for the three-match series at home which begins at the Blundstone Arena at Hobart.