Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of next month’s one-day international series against Pakistan with an ankle injury, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.
In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has been appointed captain, the CA statement read.
The setback comes as the Australia prepare for the three-match Pakistan vs Australia ODI series, slated to be played from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Marsh, who missed the Lucknow Super Giants’ final match of the Indian Premier League season, will remain in Perth for treatment and further medical assessment on his injured ankle.
A decision on Marsh’s availability for Australia’s upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh will be made later following medical evaluations, Cricket Australia said.
The experienced all-rounder’s absence is a huge blow for Australia ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan, especially with the side still in the midst of preparations for future ICC white-ball tournaments.
Without Marsh, Inglis will lead Australia for the first time in an ODI series against Pakistan. The keeper-batter has been one of Australia’s most reliable white-ball players over the last few years and will captain a relatively youthful-looking side on the trip.
Australia are also poised to give a first international cap to promising fast bowler Ollie Peake as the visitors re-shuffle their bowling resources in the run-up to the Pakistan ODIs.
The ODI series is Australia’s first bilateral 50-over tour of Pakistan since March-April 2022 when Pakistan won a memorable 2-1 series on home soil.
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