Australia has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Pakistan ODI series, with captain Mitchell Marsh ruled out due to an ankle injury a setback that has also cast doubt over his availability for next month’s tour of Bangladesh. Marsh had been appointed interim captain with Pat Cummins and Travis Head tied up in the IPL playoffs. But after returning home early from the tournament and missing Lucknow’s final match against Punjab Kings, his condition worsened. He did not board the team flight to Pakistan, forcing Cricket Australia to rethink its leadership plans.
In the end, selectors turned to Josh Inglis, naming him captain for the ODI series beginning 30 May in Rawalpindi. Inglis previously led Australia in one ODI and three T20Is against Pakistan in November 2024, giving him valuable experience heading into this assignment.
Cricket Australia has not yet named a replacement for Marsh, though Cooper Connolly, who missed the IPL playoffs, is being considered as an urgent call‑up.
The bigger concern lies ahead: Marsh is now in serious doubt for the Bangladesh tour, where Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs from 9 June in Mirpur, followed by three T20Is from 17 June.
The squad for that tour includes Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis but losing Marsh would significantly weaken Australia’s firepower in Dhaka.
Australia’s new ODI squad for the Pakistan series features: Josh Inglis (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.
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