Mitchell Marsh ruled out of Pakistan ODIs with ankle injury; Josh Inglis to lead Australia
New Delhi, May 26
Australia suffers a major setback for their upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, with skipper Mitchell Marsh ruled out due to an ankle injury.
In Marsh's absence, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will captain Australia during the three-match series in Pakistan, which begins on May 30, as per the ICC website.
Inglis has led Australia in an ODI and three T20Is against Pakistan in November 2024.
The all-rounder, who was in excellent form during the recent Indian Premier League season with 563 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of 163.18, will remain in Perth for further assessment and treatment.
Marsh did not play in Lucknow Super Giants' final match of the IPL season against Punjab Kings on Saturday.
He flew home to Australia after LSG's game against Rajasthan Royals on May 19, and he was due to lead Australia in the three-match series in Pakistan starting on May 30, with most of the team arriving in Rawalpindi at the weekend.
Following their tour of Pakistan, Australia will then travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball tour featuring both ODIs and T20Is, with Marsh's availability for that tour yet to be confirmed.
Marsh is the latest of the big names among the Australian ranks to miss the upcoming series, with the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc not featuring as well.
Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis were all omitted from the Pakistan series squad as they were expected to feature in the IPL playoffs.
However, their franchise, Punjab Kings, lost six of their last seven matches and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Australia squad for Pakistan ODIs: Josh Inglis (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Marsh was in such great form in the IPL, 563 runs at a strike rate of 163! That's phenomenal. Really unfortunate that he's injured right before an important series. Hope he recovers soon.
What is this obsession with playing in Pakistan? First England goes, now Australia, but they rarely tour India for five-match Test series. Anyway, hope Green and Labuschagne do well. Still strong batting.
Seeing so many first-choice players missing makes this series feel like a bit of a joke. But credit to the PCB for hosting. At least Inglis and Carey are there, so decent wicketkeeping options.
Funny how PBKS missing playoffs cost those three players a Pakistan tour. That's the IPL effect—sometimes good for your career, sometimes you miss international tours. Unlucky for Connolly, Bartlett, Dwarshuis.
As an Aussie fan, I'm disappointed but not surprised. Marsh has always been injury-prone. The positive is we see Inglis getting more leadership experience. He's a smart player. Bangladesh tour will be even tougher without the big names.
Pakistan series without Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood is like biryani without meat. Still tastes okay but you
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