Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who had a great Ashes series but couldn’t continue the same brilliance in South Africa, is going to miss the beginning of the County season with Surrey due to an ankle surgery which will keep him out for the initial part of the season.

The younger brother of Shaun Marsh and the son of Geoff Marsh rejected the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League this season. His reasoning was that he wanted to play in the County circuit and improve his skills as a batsman, with a view to becoming a regular member of the Aussie Test setup.

Now, however, he will have to sit out of the initial phase of the competition due to the surgery, something that has disappointed him to no end. Nevertheless, he hopes to return to full fitness and join the team later in the season.

"I'm extremely disappointed to be missing the start of the season. I was looking forward to heading over and joining the Surrey family," said Marsh.

"I'll be doing everything I can to get myself fully fit and hopefully join the side later in the season."

Mitchell Marsh has played in 28 Tests, scoring 1170 runs at an average of 27.85 while also taking 33 wickets at an average of 42.06. These stats would have been perfect for an all-rounder had it been the other way around, which is perhaps why Marsh wanted to play in the County but will now have to overcome this setback first.