Mitch Marsh named Australia Twenty20 captain, Steve Smith to open

As Mitch Marsh continues his rise up the ranks of Australian cricket, Steve Smith will flank him in a new role as the Aussies look to relaunch themselves in the T20 format.

Steve Smith is in the box seat to partner David Warner at the top of the order for the next Twenty20 World Cup, as Mitchell Marsh takes over as Australia’s new captain.

Selectors controversially omitted Smith from Australia’s best XI for last year’s failed T20 World Cup campaign, but the 34-year-old has relaunched himself as an opener after starring in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers.

While most of Australia’s other Ashes Test stars rest for the T20 tour of South Africa later this month, Smith will play in proof he is determined to lock down Aaron Finch’s old opening spot alongside Warner ahead of the 2024 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Meanwhile, as revealed by this masthead, Marsh has been appointed Finch’s successor as T20 captain, although selectors have stopped short of declaring the 31-year-old all-rounder will lead Australia at next year’s World Cup.

Steve Smith looks set to be Australia’s newest T20 opener. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

But if Marsh’s body holds up and he performs in the role in South Africa, it’s hard to see the job not being his.

“He’s always been a leader within the white-ball teams,” National Selector George Bailey said.

“We’re excited to see what he does with the titled leadership next to him. The personality and the way he drives the culture with the team is excellent, so looking forward to seeing what extra he brings from a tactical point of view.”

Bailey also confirmed Smith was back after being on the outer of the T20 best XI.

“He’ll open in South Africa,” Bailey said.

“He’s the one guy out of that multi-format players who’s heading across. We wanted to give him that opportunity.

“It was pretty exhilarating, his innings in the Big Bash (twin hundreds against Adelaide and Sydney Thunder), and I thought it highlighted the skillset he has and what he can do. The way he played in the Big Bash, we wanted to see that replicated internationally.

“It’s important that he gets an opportunity to have a crack at that. He was really keen to come across and be a part of that.”

Mitch Marsh will take over as Australia’s newest captain of the short form. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Marsh’s rise to the T20 captaincy should not be underestimated.

The big all-rounder was one of the most impressive players for Australia during the recent Ashes, even though he only played three Tests and the leadership appointment is another nod to his growing importance in the national set-up.

At 31 years of age and with a history of injury troubles, Marsh may not be a long-term captain for Australia, but it is an honour he has earned and deserves.

One of the most popular players in Australian cricket, Marsh has shown himself to be a selfless cricketer who has a huge influence on the team environment.

The T20 captaincy marks another chapter in Marsh’s impressive rise from being one of Australia’s most maligned players to finally fulfilling his potential in all three forms of the game.

Marsh was the player of the final in Australia’s T20 World Cup final triumph back in 2021 and has become a staple of the ODI team at No.3.

Now in Test cricket Marsh kept boom all-rounder Cameron Green out of the last Ashes Test and will start favourite to keep his place against Pakistan for the first Test of the summer.

Selectors may hold off on finalising a T20 World Cup captain for next year until after the summer.

That way it can judge how Pat Cummins’ performs at the ODI World Cup and whether Marsh can handle the responsibilities while managing his own body as an all-rounder.

BBL stars Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are the two debutants to break into the Australian T20 squad to tour South Africa.