Mitch Marsh regrets saying "Australia hate me" but the resurgent allrounder has comfortably shaken off that tag after being embraced as one of the most popular winners of the Allan Border Medal.
The 32-year-old was crowned Australia's best men's player on Wednesday night, just six months after finally breaking back into the Test team.
Since smashing a brilliant Ashes century on his return, Marsh has not looked back and become a lock across all three formats.
He sported a ring that all members of Australia's ODI World Cup-winning team had made following their stunning upset of India in last year's final.
The hulking Western Australian delivered a classic speech, equal parts funny and touching, after accepting the medal from Allan Border himself.
During his time on stage, Marsh reflected on a comment he made during the 2019 Ashes, which came only months after he was booed at the MCG.
"I often regret that statement (saying 'most of Australia hate me'). It was made tongue-in-cheek," he said.
"Hopefully, I will eventually shake that comment."
Marsh acknowledged having support is a "great feeling".
"I've felt a lot of love from the Australian cricket community and there's no doubt that's helped me," he said.
Marsh became emotional when thanking wife Greta, as well as Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins and national coach Andrew McDonald.
After thinking he was "done and dusted" as an international cricketer, the encouragement of the those three helped him charge into career-best form.
"(McDonald) in particular, the language he uses around his belief in me and what I can do," Marsh said.
"Probably two years ago, I didn't believe that myself and he's kind of forced me to.
"There's no doubt that he's had a significant impact on my career in the last two years and really my whole life. He's a tremendous man.
"There's always pressure when we play but the environment that's created has allowed me to really be my true self and think that's coming out in the way that I play, certainly the way I bat in Test cricket. It's been a lot of fun."
