Australia name captain-less T20 squad to play Pakistan

Australia will need a new captain for the T20 series against Pakistan and there’s a standout candidate among the 13-player squad.

Glenn Maxwell could be a chance to captain Australia as the most experienced player named in Australia’s T20 squad for a three-match series against Pakistan without incumbent Mitch Marsh.

All members of the Australian Test squad, including Marsh, who led the team at the T20 World Cup, as well as captain Pat Cummins have been left out of the 13-player squad.

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But Josh Inglis, who Australian coach Andrew McDonald said on Sunday was in consideration to play in the opening Test against India after back-to-back Sheffield Shield hundreds is set to further his case in the T20s.

In releasing the squad, a statement from Cricket Australia said anyone in the T20 squad required for Test duties would join the team after the final match in Hobart.

Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson return to the T20 setup following their returns from injury and will lead the bowling attack, along with Sean Abbott, in the absence of Cummins, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series,” selection chief George Bailey said.

Glenn Maxwell could captain Australia. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

“We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys.

“It is particularly encouraging to have Xavier, Spencer and Nathan back in the national setup. It’s another opportunity for them to continue to show their ability on the international stage, as they have done in the past.”

Maxwell has been the long-term captain of the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash and looms as the most likely man to take charge, having played 113 T20s in for Australia.

Mohammad Rizwan has been announced as the new white-ball captain of Pakistan for both the ODI and T20I series against Australia which marks the return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah who were all dropped for the final two Tests against England.

Babar stepped down as skipper in all three formats last year after Pakistan failed to make the knockout stage of the 50-over World Cup, before returning as white-ball captain in March for the T20 World Cup.

But once against Pakistan didn’t make the Super Eight, and he has been replaced by Rizwan.

“I am committed to giving my absolute best in this role and look forward to working closely with the selectors, coaches and my immensely talented teammates,” Rizwan said. “Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters.”

Australian T20 squad

Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short

Marcus Stoinis

Originally published as Australia name captain-less T20 squad to play Pakistan