Josh Inglis has been named Australia’s interim T20I captain for the upcoming series against Pakistan. Inglis will lead the T20I side in the absence of regular captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, both unavailable due to paternity leave and Test preparations. He will also captain Australia in the third and final ODI against Pakistan in Perth, as several senior players, including Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and Josh Hazlewood, rest ahead of the Test series against India.
Inglis, 29, becomes Australia’s 14th T20I captain and 30th ODI captain. While he has not captained in the Big Bash League, he has leadership experience, having captained the Prime Minister’s XI in a match against the West Indies in November 2022 and been vice-captain of the Perth Scorchers last season. His leadership abilities, alongside tactical acumen, have earned the trust of selectors.
“Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player,” said George Bailey, Chairman of Selectors. “He has led Australia A previously and will bring strong tactical nous and a positive approach to the role.” Inglis will be supported by senior players, including Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa, throughout the series.
With several key players resting for the final ODI and T20I series, the squad will include emerging talents like Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Josh Philippe. Players such as Cummins, Smith, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne will sit out to focus on preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
Inglis’s appointment follows a recent trend of wicketkeeper-batsmen captaining the T20I side, with Matthew Wade having led Australia in several recent T20I series. The selection reflects confidence in Inglis’s leadership despite his relative lack of captaincy experience at the domestic level.
The T20I series against Pakistan will also feature a shift in Australia’s coaching setup. Head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Michael Di Venuto, and bowling coach Daniel Vettori will take short breaks, with assistant coach Andre Borovec stepping in. Former Australian batter Brad Hodge will join as an assistant coach, and Matthew Wade will serve as interim fielding and wicketkeeping coach.
Australia ODI Squad for Pakistan Series
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (captain for third ODI), Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia T20I Squad for Pakistan Series
Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (c), Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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