Josh Inglis appointed interim T20I captain and to lead Australia in the third ODI against Pakistan. X.com (@CallMeSheri1)
Josh Inglis has been appointed as Australia’s interim T20I captain for the upcoming series against Pakistan, stepping in for Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who are unavailable due to paternity leave and Test preparations. Inglis will also captain the team in the third and final ODI in Perth, as Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and Josh Hazlewood are all being rested ahead of the Test series.
At 29, Inglis becomes Australia’s 14th T20I captain and 30th ODI captain, following approval from the board after a recommendation from the selectors. Marsh, the regular T20I captain, and Head, who captained in Marsh’s absence in England in September, are both unavailable for the T20I series due to personal reasons. Additionally, Cummins, the Test and ODI skipper, along with vice-captain Smith, are sitting out the T20I series to prepare for the Test summer. Hazlewood, Starc, and Labuschagne will also miss the third ODI to focus on their preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Despite not having led a Big Bash League (BBL) team, Inglis’s leadership abilities and tactical understanding are highly respected, earning him the captaincy of a strong Prime Minister’s XI against the West Indies in November 2022. “Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field,” said chair of selectors George Bailey. He noted that Inglis will receive significant support from senior players such as Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Marcus Stoinis.
Inglis was also vice-captain of the Perth Scorchers last season and played a key role in their leadership group. Though Aaron Hardie was chosen as captain for the Scorchers following an injury to Ashton Turner, this decision was based on the preference not to have a wicketkeeper-captain too far from the bowlers. However, at the international level, Australia is confident in their experienced bowling unit and is comfortable with a wicketkeeper taking on the leadership role.
Inglis’s appointment is in line with recent trends, as Australia has relied on interim wicketkeeper-captains in the past, including Matthew Wade, who captained the T20I side in 13 matches, and Tim Paine and Alex Carey, who have each led the ODI team.
Australia’s ODI squad against Pakistan includes: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
Australia’s T20I squad against Pakistan includes: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (captain), Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
For the T20I series, assistant coach Andre Borovec will take charge in the absence of head coach Andrew McDonald and the rest of the coaching staff, who are on a brief break. Brad Hodge will also join as an assistant coach, while Wade will serve as the interim fielding and wicketkeeping coach.
