NEWS
Follow UsWicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis has been named as Australia’s interim captain for the third ODI and the following three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Inglis' appointment comes as the multiformat players are taking a rest before the five-match Test series against India begins in Perth on November 22. As a result, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, and Steve Smith, the four players who have led Australia this year in different capacities, are all unavailable.
Cummins, Australia’s full-time ODI captain, played in the first ODI against Pakistan in Melbourne, which the hosts won by two wickets, and will feature in the second fixture in Adelaide. Smith has led Australia in four ODIs this year and won’t be featuring in the final ODI to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Thus, Inglis, 29 years old, will become Australia’s 14th T20I captain and 30th player to lead them in ODI cricket. He has been chosen over some other candidates like Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, all of whom have led in domestic cricket in Australia, including the Big Bash League (BBL).
Although Inglis hasn’t done much captaincy, he is an experienced player with over 240 professional games under his belt. He was also Perth Scorchers' vice-captain in the last BBL season and a key part of their leadership group. Overall, Inglis will be the fourth wicketkeeper to lead Australia in T20Is (after Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin) and the fifth to lead them in ODIs (after Gilchrist, Ian Healy, Tim Paine and Alex Carey).
"Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field," chair of selectors George Bailey said. "He has led Australia A [Prime Minister's XI] 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."
With the seniors not playing, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Josh Philippe have been added to Australia's squad for the third ODI in Perth, while Lance Morris, added as cover for Josh Hazlewood, remains with the side. Hazlewood is expected to feature in the second ODI in Adelaide but won’t be travelling to Perth.
Australia will also have a different coaching staff for the T20Is starting on November 14. Head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Michael Di Venuto, and bowling coach Daniel Vettori will have a short break before joining the group ahead of the Perth Test.
Assistant coach Andre Borovec will step up in the head coach’s role, as he did for Australia's five-match T20I series against India last October. Former cricketer Brad Hodge will work with the T20I squad as an assistant coach. The duo was also a part of Australia’s coaching staff in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA in June this year. In a new addition, Matthew Wade, who recently announced his international retirement, has been appointed interim fielding and wicketkeeping coach for the series.
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