'I am looking forward to the baby'

Ace player

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh has been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) circuit for some time. The Kings XI Punjab player says he more than looks forward to this format of cricket every year. But this time around Shaun had a bout of food poisoning and couldn’t play the first few matches but says that his bad experience with the food hasn’t deterred him from continuing his experiments with Indian food.

Shaun comes from a family of sportspersons. His father, Geoff, and brother, Mitchell, have both played test cricket for Australia. This IPL season is also set to mark another stage in Shaun’s life. He and his long-time girlfriend-turned-wife  Rebecca O’Donovan are expecting their first baby in June.

In a chat with Nina C George, Shaun speaks about cricket, his never-ending love for India and his relationship with his brother Mitchell.

You come from a family of cricketers. Has it been challenging to live up to that legacy?
My father Geoff Marsh is a cricketing legend and my younger brother Mitchell too has followed father’s footsteps. I’ve always watched my father play and spend a lot of time with him. I’ve learnt a lot of things about cricket that I wouldn’t have got a hang of otherwise.

How has your father influenced you?
He has always played cricket at a much higher level than me. So, I always turn to him for advice and guidance. A lot of people ask me if I am under pressure to perform but I tell them that I am not under any kind of pressure but that I am fortunate to have my father and brother by my side whenever I get stuck.

You are going to be a father soon...
Yes. I am pretty excited and I am looking forward to the baby. We are told the date is June 11, 2016. My wife Rebecca usually accompanies me on the IPL tours but this year, she hasn’t been able to make it. But we talk to each other every day and she keeps me posted about the baby. We’re both getting ready for the  sleepless nights and nappy changes.

What’s your equation with your brother Mitchell?
Mitchell and I grew up to be very close to each other. He’s eight years older than I am and whenever we are together, we talk less about cricket and more about other things. He’s been a great companion. 

We hear you relish Indian food?
Absolutely. I love the ‘daal’ and I try every conceivable Indian curry, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. I haven’t really tried the street food here in India but I have no complaints about trying the food at good restaurants. I also have a sweet tooth.

How do you interpret fashion? Do you spend a lot of time in front of the mirror?
(Laughs) I am very fashion-conscious. I always stick to the basics and I don’t know why but I hardly get time to look at the mirror.

When you are not playing cricket, then what do you do?
I relax with a round of golf with my father and brother.

About Bengaluru...
I like it when we have a match in Bengaluru because I get to go restaurant-hopping and the weather is great. I like to play at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.