Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will captain Australia in the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, starting on November 14 at the Gabba in Brisbane. He will also lead the national team in the third and final ODI against Pakistan, as key Test players focus on preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne will be absent from the final ODI in Perth to concentrate on the upcoming five-Test series against India, which begins on November 22.
Pacers Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett, along with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe, have been added to the squad, though they will only be available for the third ODI. Josh Hazlewood, who joined the squad for the second ODI in Adelaide, is expected to feature in the playing XI.
This will mark Inglis’ first experience as captain of the senior team. He will become the 30th player to captain Australia in ODIs and the 14th in T20Is. In 2022, he led the Prime Minister’s XI in a drawn match against the West Indies.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c – first two matches), Josh Inglis, (c – third match), Sean Abbott, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe (third match only), Xavier Bartlett (third match only), Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mitchell Starc (first two matches only), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood (second match only), Spencer Johnson (third match only), Marnus Labuschagne (first two matches only), Matthew Short, Steve Smith (first two matches only).
“A player who is highly respected both on and off the field” – George Bailey on Josh Inglis
Chief Selector George Bailey is optimistic that Inglis will bring a clever approach to captaincy and anticipates that senior players such as Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis will offer their full support. Bailey commented, as reported by cricket.com.au:
“Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field. He has led Australia A previously and will bring strong tactical nous and a positive approach to the role.”
”Josh will receive great support from the likes of Matt Short and Adam Zampa, along with senior players including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.”
Australia narrowly defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI in Melbourne on November 4.
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