Josh Inglis has been named captain for Australia’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan after Mitch Marsh was ruled out with an ankle problem picked up during the Indian Premier League. The setback has left Australia short on senior white-ball leadership, with Marsh’s next steps now focused on treatment and reassessment while the squad prepares for a busy schedule.
Key takeaways
- Josh Inglis will lead Australia in the three-match ODI series versus Pakistan, taking over after Mitch Marsh’s ankle injury.
- Marsh has returned to Perth and remains in the assessment and treatment phase, with no replacement named in the ODI squad yet.
- Australia’s ODI captain Pat Cummins and vice-captain Travis Head are both unavailable due to IPL playoff commitments that clash with the Pakistan fixtures.
- Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are also set to miss both the Pakistan and Bangladesh tours, while Head is expected to join for the Bangladesh leg.
- Ollie Peake has moved closer to a potential international debut with Marsh sidelined, as Australia include both Inglis and Peake in the ODI group.
- The ODI series starts on May 30 at Rawalpindi, with matches scheduled at Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
Inglis takes the captaincy as Marsh continues rehab
Mitch Marsh missed Australia’s final IPL involvement for Lucknow Super Giants last week and has now gone back to Perth. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Marsh has not been swapped into the ODI squad at this stage, and the team will continue monitoring his recovery before reaching a decision about his availability for the white-ball assignment in Bangladesh.
Cricket Australia also indicated that Marsh will stay in Perth for further assessment and treatment until a later update is provided. His participation in the Bangladesh tour will be determined in due course.
Why Australia’s Pakistan tour looks different
Marsh’s injury has forced a leadership reshuffle, with Inglis receiving captaincy for only the second time at international level. The earlier instance also came against Pakistan in November 2024, when Australia were already missing several of their usual first-choice players.
The Pakistan series has been further complicated by IPL overlaps. Pat Cummins, Australia’s standard ODI captain, and Travis Head, his deputy, are both unavailable because the IPL playoffs run into the period of the Rawalpindi and Lahore matches. Alongside them, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are also expected to miss both the Pakistan and Bangladesh tours, while Head is anticipated to join the squad once the IPL concludes for the Bangladesh segment.
Squad details and the chance for Ollie Peake
With Marsh ruled out, Australia’s ODI group includes a mix of established names and opportunities for younger players. The squad features Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, and Adam Zampa, alongside Josh Inglis and teenager Ollie Peake.
Peake’s path could open further due to the absence of Marsh, with the teenager now in a position where a debut call-up becomes a realistic possibility as Australia adjust their plans for the series.
Schedule confirmed: Rawalpindi opener, Lahore follow-ups
The three-match ODI contest is set to begin on May 30 at Rawalpindi Stadium. The tour then moves to Lahore for the second and third games on June 2 and June 4 respectively.
Matt Short on Pakistan conditions and the spin challenge
Matt Short said Australia are preparing for another demanding spin test in Pakistan. He pointed to the nature of recent white-ball cricket in the country, noting that wickets during earlier contests before the World Cup had offered tough turning and challenging batting conditions.
Short acknowledged that the team cannot be certain what exact surfaces will deliver, but said they are ready if the conditions resemble those seen previously. Australia’s recent T20I and ODI history in Pakistan has contributed to that caution, with Pakistan having already demonstrated strong control over the matchups.
Pakistan’s momentum and Australia’s targets
Pakistan swept Australia 3-0 in a T20I series earlier this year. Pakistan also won the previous ODI series in 2024-25, meaning the upcoming three-match ODI schedule carries added importance for Australia as they look to reverse recent trends.
Short said Pakistan have had the edge over Australia in the last couple of series, and that the team is determined to stay in the hunt for a series victory. He also stressed that while attention is often drawn to Australia’s upcoming Test cricket, the side wants to ensure they come away with results in these shorter white-ball series as well.
