Mitchell Marsh won the Allan Border Medal today (January 31) and gave an emotional speech following the honour, especially singling out Australia skipper Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald for effusive praise.

Marsh won the prestigious prize for the most outstanding male cricketer during the Australia Cricket Awards for 2023 on Wednesday night. The winner is declared after a voting round by his teammates, media and umpires. Marsh edged ahead of Cummins, fetching 223 votes, to win the Medal.

The all-rounder averaged 67.50 in Tests last year, hitting an Ashes ton along with four fifties. He also scored 858 runs in ODIs, including two in Australia’s World Cup-winning campaign. Marsh also struck at 186 in the three T20Is he played and also took a total of six wickets across formats.

He was bestowed with the award for the first time and was teary-eyed on stage upon receiving it, thanking the captain and coach for their trust in him. “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 be able to contribute to that over this period of time. Everyone knows I love a good time and when you keep winning, it just gets better and better, so it’s been great.

“I would particularly like to thank Ronny (Andrew McDonald) and Patty (Pat Cummins). You believed in me and I don’t really know why but I can’t thank you enough for believing in me.”

As Cummins was seen wiping a tear, Marsh cracked up the room with his honesty. “I may be fat at times and I love a beer, but you see the best in me always. You’ve changed my life, so thank you for your support and leadership. Playing under you [Cummins] has been an absolute dream, so thank you very much.”

Marsh also went on to thank his family and his brother Shaun, who had won the Male Domestic Player of the Year Award in 2020 and 2021.

Watch his acceptance speech here:

"I'm a bit fat at times and I love a beer…"

Mitch Marsh's acceptance speech had it all! #AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/E98c88wU4j

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 31, 2024

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.