Mitch Marsh spills the beans on dad's funny reaction to Allan Border Medal triumph

Mitch Marsh was not too far off with his prediction about how father Geoff would react to his stunning Allan Border Medal win on Wednesday night. Marsh capped off a stunning career renaissance by claiming the highest individual honour in Aussie cricket, when he was named the best men's player in the 2023 calendar year.

The 32-year-old finished well clear of Aussie captain Pat Cummins and Steve Smith in the medal count, which is voted on by players, umpires and media after every international match in Tests, ODIs and T20is. Following his extraordinary triumph, Marsh delivered one of the all-time great acceptance speeches which included tears, heartfelt tributes to his family, coach and captain and also a little bit of hilarious self-deprecation.

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Marsh had already fought back tears several times when he got towards the end of his speech and reflected on his family, including a funny mention of his father Geoff - himself a former Test star for Australia. “I know how proud you’ll be,” Marsh said about his family. “Dad will be having six stubbies at the pub and be telling me to stop crying, so it’s probably time to get off the stage. I really can’t quite believe it ... I’ll see you all on the dancefloor.”

Reflecting on his way after the Australian Cricket Awards night, Marsh revealed that he did try and contact his father soon after winning the Allan Border Medal. The 32-year-old was correct in assuming his old man would be at the pub but made the hilarious revelation that his father brushed him off because he was in the middle of a pool comp at the pub.

"I called him (when I won), he was in a pool comp, at the pub. So he had to call me back, actually," Marsh told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday. Despite the snub from his dad, Marsh's spirits were never going to be brought down after what he described as "an incredible six months" that saw the all-rounder score a century in the Ashes after a long-awaited return to the Test side and also named T20 captain for Australia for the first time in his career.

Mitch Marsh caps off incredible year with AB Medal

Marsh was a runaway winner of the Allan Border Medal after finishing 79 votes ahead Cummins. The 32-year-old cemented his place in the Test side after a number of big scores following his comeback Ashes century and also took the ODI player of the year award after starring in Australia's stunning World Cup triumph in India. His contributions in T20 cricket made him an invaluable asset for Australia as a three-format star.

"One of the things Ronnie (Australia coach Andrew McDonald) said to me was 'we can't win the World Cup without you', as I'd just been left out of the team," Marsh reflected on after his win. "At the time I was like 'oh, yeah, whatever', but it's those little comments that build up over a period of time where you start believing that."

Among the more memorable parts of Marsh's victory speech on Wednesday night was a beautiful tribute to his wife Greta, and the influence she had on Marsh's career resurgence. "I often spoke to my wife about...," Marsh said before pausing as he choked up. "That I just wanted to get one more crack at it, and it's been amazing. She gave me the perspective on life that I needed.

“Grets is an amazing human, I said in my wedding vows eight months ago she gave me the perspective on life I needed and our life is a lot of fun. If I get a duck, or get a hundred, she’s always the same." Marsh has been given a well-deserved rest alongside Cummins and Mitchell Starc for Australia's first ODI against the West Indies at the MCG on Friday.

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