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Marsh inspired by deeds of Voges

Newly-named Warriors captain says former state teammate stands out among leaders in his career to date

New Warriors captain Mitch Marsh says he will look to bring the same "heart and soul" to Western Australian cricket as outgoing skipper Adam Voges when he takes the reins this summer.

In a passionate column written for The West Australian, Marsh said Voges stood out among the captains he has played under in both his domestic and international career, and outlined the other values he is looking to bring to the table as WA's new leader.

"WA cricket is ingrained in me," Marsh wrote. "It is part of who I am. To represent my state is an honour, but to lead it is beyond superlatives and the role I fill is one vacated by a man I hold in the highest regard.

"Adam Voges inspired not only me, but an entire generation of WA cricketers, with his courage, humility, selfless drive and his refusal to ever give up.

"Other captains have influenced me — Michael Clarke with his ability to get the best out of his players, Steve Smith with his insatiable work ethic and will to succeed — but Voges stands out among them.

"What he brought to WA cricket in many ways is irreplaceable.

"I won't be Adam Voges, I will be Mitch Marsh, but if I can bring even the slightest sense of heart and soul that he engrained in WA cricket, I will take great pride in that.

"That was my message when I addressed the captaincy selection panel."

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Marsh is continuing rehabilitation from shoulder surgery and working on his fitness, with the expectation that he will be available for the start of the domestic season, though he is unlikely to be a bowling option for the Warriors early in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who debuted as a 17-year-old at List A level for WA back in February 2009, traced the beginnings of his WA cricket journey right back to his brother Shaun's first-class debut in 2001.

"It was 2001 and we were on our way to the WACA Ground to watch Shaun make his first-class debut for WA against South Australia," he recalled.

"He made 12 - it was the best 12 I had ever seen in my life.

"I was still very young at the tail end of Dad's (former Test batsman Geoff Marsh's) career and the memories I have of that time were never a catalyst for my own career.

"Instead, it was that moment of Shaun's that ignited in me a dream to one day represent my state, to proudly stand where my brother stood — on the hallowed surface of the WACA Ground."

WACA head physiotherapist Nick Jones updated Marsh's progression on his comeback trail last week, with the allrounder not having played cricket since March, while on national duties in India.

"Mitch has progressed gradually through his milestones and is expected to be able to play the JLT One-Day Domestic Cup as a batter only," Jones said.

"His bowling and throwing progressions will be gradual over the coming month."

The Warriors open their domestic campaign against New South Wales on September 29 at the WACA.