Mitchell Marsh Reflects on Childhood Memories with Curran Brothers Ahead of Milestone ODI

Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh reminisces about his childhood friendship with the Curran brothers and their backyard cricket games. As he approaches his 100th ODI, Marsh reflects on his aspirations to play for Zimbabwe, adding a personal touch to the upcoming match against Zimbabwe in Harare. This article explores the bonds formed through cricket and the significance of this milestone for Marsh.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 15, 2026, 11:13 IST

Nostalgic Childhood Memories and Backyard Cricket

Mitchell Marsh, the captain of Australia, shared heartwarming memories of his childhood alongside Sam and Tom Curran, highlighting the close-knit friendship formed through their fathers. In a video shared by Cricket.au on X, Marsh fondly recalled the numerous backyard cricket matches held at the Curran residence, describing those moments as "very good" and unforgettable.

During the Marsh family's time in Zimbabwe, while his older brother Shaun was already making strides in first-class cricket in Western Australia, Mitch spent countless hours at Harare Sports Club playing cricket with the younger Curran siblings, sons of his father's coaching assistant, Kevin Curran. These informal games laid the foundation for a remarkable cricketing journey, as Tom, Ben, and Sam Curran have all achieved international recognition, with Tom and Sam representing England and Ben playing for Zimbabwe, who is part of the ODI squad facing Australia this week.

"We have the Curran brothers, Sammy and Tom. I think that was in Sri Lanka, but I could be mistaken. Our families toured together, and Kevin was a close friend of my dad. The Curran boys grew up alongside us, creating some truly special memories. We had many backyard battles at their home, which are cherished memories," Marsh expressed in the video posted by Cricket.au on X.

A Significant Milestone in a Meaningful Location

Marsh, who once aspired to play for Zimbabwe, is poised to achieve a significant milestone by playing his 100th ODI in a country that holds sentimental value for him. Australia is set to face Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a three-match ODI series.

"At one point, I actually wanted to represent Zimbabwe," he added.