Mitchell Marsh suffers a groin injury; positive to return before World Cup

Mitch Marsh's miserable summer has got worse with the allrounder needing surgery following a blow to the groin in training, officials said. The 27-year-old, who has been dropped from the Australian Test, one-day and Twenty20 teams, was struck during a net session in Perth ahead of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales.

"As a result of the impact, Mitch has undergone a minor surgical procedure and he won't be available for this upcoming Shield fixture," WA official Nick Jones told the Cricket Australia website late Wednesday.

"Mitch's recovery will be monitored closely over the coming week before a decision can be made around his availability for the Round 8 Shield match."

It capped a horror few months for the WA skipper, who was hoping to use the Sheffield Shield to regain form, with an eye on the Ashes tour of England later this year.

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Marsh hasn't batted at first-class level since the Boxing Day Test against India in December.

He was dropped after that for the rest of the India series and the subsequent two Tests against Sri Lanka, despite being named vice-captain last September. Marsh was also overlooked for Australia's current one-day and Twenty20 tour of India.

"I've been knocked around a bit this summer. But my dream of playing Test cricket is still not over. I'm only 27. I'll keep fighting," he said recently.

Meanwhile, Australia will be up against India for a two-match T20 series, followed by five ODIs. The two teams will lock horns for the first time on 24^th February at Visakhapatnam in this bilateral series. On one hand, India will look to continue their dominance, Australia will look to fight back and earn redemption.

(With Inputs: PTI)

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Mitchell Marsh suffers a groin injury. 
• Marsh is positive to return before the World Cup.
• India tour of Australia will start on 24th February.