Australia has named a new captain for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis getting the nod as the interim T20I leader in place of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.
The 29-year-old will get some practice for the role when he leads Australia in the third ODI in Perth as Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, and Josh Hazlewood will be rested ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
This marks a significant milestone for Inglis, who becomes Australia’s 14th T20I and 30th ODI captain.
The board approved his ascension to the rank on the selectors’ recommendation. Marsh, Australia’s regular T20I skipper, is unavailable due to paternity leave, and Head is preparing for Test duties. Cummins, the permanent Test and ODI captain, and Smith, his deputy in Tests, are also sitting out of the T20 series for Test preparation.
Cummins, Smith, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne will also not play in the third ODI against Pakistan, allowing Inglis to take over in Perth.
Josh Inglis may come as a surprise choice to some, given his lack of captaincy experience in the Big Bash League. Unlike teammates such as Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Nathan Ellis, Inglis hasn’t led a BBL team, though he was vice-captain for Perth Scorchers last season.
He was considered for the Scorchers’ captaincy when Ashton Turner was sidelined, but the role went to Aaron Hardie due to a preference to have a non-wicketkeeper leading younger bowlers.
National selectors, however, do not share these concerns at the international level, given the wealth of experience among Australia’s bowlers. Inglis previously captained the Prime Minister’s XI against the West Indies in 2022, highlighting his leadership potential.
The first T20I between Pakistan and Australia is set to take place on November 14th.