Josh Inglis Appointed Australia White-Ball Captain

In a significant development for Australian cricket, Josh Inglis has been appointed as the captain of the national white-ball team for the first time. This decision comes as the selectors announced that Inglis will lead the team in the third One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan and the subsequent Twenty20 series. The announcement was made on Wednesday, highlighting the absence of several key players from the squad.

Regular ODI captain Pat Cummins, along with star players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, will not participate in the third ODI scheduled for Sunday in Perth. Their absence is due to preparations for the upcoming Test series against India. In light of this, new faces such as Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Josh Philippe have been included in the squad to support Inglis.

Inglis, a 29-year-old wicketkeeper, will also take charge of the Australian team in the three-match T20 series against Pakistan, which is set to commence on November 14. This leadership role comes at a time when the regular T20 captain, Mitchell Marsh, is on paternity leave. George Bailey, the chairman of selectors, expressed confidence in Inglis, stating, "Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field. He has led Australia A previously and will bring strong tactical nous and a positive approach to the role." This endorsement reflects the selectors' belief in Inglis's capabilities as a leader.

Australia recently secured a victory in the first ODI against Pakistan, winning by two wickets, which sets a positive tone for the upcoming matches. The second ODI is scheduled for Friday, and the team is looking to build on their momentum. Meanwhile, the Test team, under the leadership of Cummins, is gearing up for a challenging five-match series against India.

Inglis's appointment as captain marks a new chapter for Australian cricket, especially with the absence of several seasoned players. It presents an opportunity for him to showcase his leadership skills and tactical acumen. As fans eagerly await the upcoming matches, it will be interesting to see how Inglis navigates this responsibility and whether he can lead the team to further success against Pakistan.