Josh Inglis has ascended to the pivotal role of captain for Australia as they gear up for an electrifying T20I series against Pakistan. Intriguingly, he will also take the reins for the final ODI of the ongoing series in Perth, stepping in while the nation’s prominent Test players shift their focus towards the looming Border-Gavaskar Trophy preparations.
Inglis is poised to inherit the ODI captaincy from none other than Pat Cummins, currently the Test captain, who, along with an array of cricketing luminaries—Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and the venerable Steve Smith—will sit out this decisive ODI clash against Pakistan to hone their skills for the Test format. To reinforce the ODI squad, selectors have summoned the talents of pacers Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett, alongside the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Josh Phillipe.
Earlier in this saga, Lance Morris had made his entry to the squad in anticipation of the opening match in Melbourne, while Hazlewood was otherwise engaged in Sheffield Shield commitments. However, Hazlewood is now set to rejoin the ODI lineup in Adelaide for the series’ second confrontation on Friday, with Bartlett traveling as a standby.
With Cummins’ gaze firmly fixed on the Test arena and regular T20I leader Mitchell Marsh on paternity leave, this moment marks a significant milestone for Inglis, who will don the captaincy hat for both the ODI and T20I formats for the very first time. This prestigious appointment positions him as Australia’s 30th ODI captain since the format’s inaugural launch under the legendary Bill Lawry in 1971, and the 14th captain of the T20I squad since its 2005 inception.
George Bailey, the chairman of the Australia selection panel, heralded Inglis as an indispensable lynchpin of the white-ball teams, lauding him as a player esteemed for his contributions both on and off the field. Bailey anticipates that the wicketkeeper will infuse the team with strategic acumen and an optimistic game philosophy.
“Josh is not just an integral cog in the wheel of the ODI and T20I formations; he is a player we highly regard in every respect,” Bailey stated emphatically. “Having previously led Australia A, I am confident he will offer robust tactical insight and a refreshing enthusiasm to this role.”
“Moreover,” he continued, “Josh will garner exceptional support from key players, including the likes of Matt Short and Adam Zampa, as well as seasoned veterans like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.”
AUS vs PAK: Australia Squads
Australia 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 Phillipe (third match only), Matthew Short, Steve Smith (first two matches only), Mitchell Starc (first two matches only), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Australia T20 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.
