New Delhi: Josh Inglis has been named as Australia’s white-ball captain for the final ODI and three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The wicketkeeper batter will take over the captaincy from Pat Cummins who will miss the last ODI match along with Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Hazlewood.
Fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris have been added to the team. Hazlewood has joined the ODI team in Adelaide for the second ODI match on Friday and Bartlett is also part of the team as a travelling reserve.
With Cummins starting his preparations for the crucial Test series against India and Australia’s current T20I captain Mitchell Marsh on paternity leave, Inglis will take over the captaincy for the first time. He will become Australia’s 30th ODI international skipper since Bill Lawry led the team in the first-ever ODI match in 1971, and 14th captain in T20 internationals since 2005.
Inglis was appointed captain ahead of experienced players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa and Matt Short. All these players have experience of captaining the team in the Big Bash League (BBL) but selectors trusted Inglis for the role.
He played a crucial role in Australia’s successful 2023 ODI World Cup campaign in India last year and is the first-choice keeper after the retirement of Matthew Wade. Australia defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in the first ODI match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“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.” selection chair George Bailey said on Wednesday.
“Josh will receive great support from the likes of Matt Short and Adam Zampa, along with senior players including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis” Bailey added.
Australia’s ODI and T20I Squad for white-ball series against Pakistan
ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c – first two matches), Josh Inglis, (c – third match), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett (third match only), Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood (second match only), Spencer Johnson (third match only), Marnus Labuschagne (first two matches only), Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe (third match only), Matthew Short, Steve Smith (first two matches only), Mitchell Starc (first two matches only), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia T20I squad: Josh Inglis (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Josh Inglis takes over Australia’s captaincy role from Pat Cummins as key Test players focus on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
