Mitchell Marsh Exits Pakistan ODI Series Due to Injury, Josh Inglis Steps Up as Captain
Mitchell Marsh Withdraws from ODI Series Against Pakistan
Mitchell Marsh has become the latest key player from Australia to withdraw from the upcoming three-match ODI series in Pakistan. This absence leaves the reigning champions without both their captain and vice-captain for the series. Previously, Pat Cummins was also excluded from the squad due to his commitments with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Marsh's withdrawal is attributed to an ankle injury, which also caused him to miss the last match of the IPL season against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The 34-year-old all-rounder was set to lead a team missing several notable players, including Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis.
New Leadership for Australia in Pakistan ODI Series
In light of Marsh's injury, Cricket Australia (CA) has appointed wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis as the new captain for the series. A statement from CA confirmed, "Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the ODI Series against Pakistan with an ankle injury. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will lead the Australian side in Pakistan in the absence of Marsh. Marsh will remain in Perth for further assessment and treatment until further notice, and his availability for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh will be evaluated later." This will mark Inglis's second time captaining the ODI team, having previously led Australia in a match against Pakistan in 2024, just before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has also captained the Australian team in three T20 internationals.
Following the Pakistan tour, Australia is set to visit Bangladesh for both ODI and T20I series. Travis Head is expected to return to the squad after concluding his IPL commitments with Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, the pace trio of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins will be rested for the Bangladesh series due to workload management. Connolly, Bartlett, and Dwarshuis are also included in the squad for the Bangladesh tour.
The first ODI match against Pakistan is scheduled for May 30 in Rawalpindi, with the subsequent matches taking place in Lahore on June 2 and June 4. After the Pakistan series, Australia will face Bangladesh in three ODIs from June 9 to June 14, followed by three T20Is from June 17 to June 21.
Australia ODI Squad for Pakistan Series: Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (capt), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matthew Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa
Australia ODI Squad for Bangladesh: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa
Australia T20I Squad for Bangladesh: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Adam Zampa