Australia has decided to rest all its Test players for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan as they prepare for the challenging Test series against India.
Recent T20I captains Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, along with Pat Cummins, will not be part of the squad for the Pakistan series. As a result, selectors are considering a new captain for the T20 side, with candidates such as Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Matt Short, Aaron Hardie, and Josh Inglis in the mix.
George Bailey, chairman of selectors, said the final captain decision would be made closer to the start of the series. “I think there’s a number of players with the ability to captain and some that have had some captaincy experience as well,” Bailey noted. “We’ll work through that.”
Returning to the squad after injury are Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson. All three missed the previous UK tour due to various injuries. While Johnson has already made his comeback in domestic cricket, Bartlett and Ellis are expected to be match-fit for the three-game series, scheduled from November 14 to 18.
This T20I squad closely resembles the group that went to the UK, with Maxwell rejoining after resting during that trip. Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk are set to open the batting, having shown strong form in previous matches.
The close scheduling between the T20I and Test series influenced the decision to rest Test players, as the Test squad will arrive in Perth just days before the T20 series wraps up. “The Test squad will be arriving in Perth and finalizing their Test prep around the time of that second T20. We’ve been really clear that we are prioritizing the preparation for individuals around the Test summer,” Bailey explained. This prioritization helps avoid the complications of switching players between formats on short notice.
However, Bailey kept the door open for some T20I players to be added to the Test squad if any injuries arise. “You’ve just got to cover your bases in case you lose the wrong person at the wrong time,” Bailey said. “If that does shift, we can get someone across to Perth, and their preparation would look a little bit different, but that would be okay.”
Josh Inglis, known for his effective reverse hits, is also being discussed as a potential leader in the T20 side. Recently, he was suggested as an option for Australia’s Test opener by New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd.
However, Bailey confirmed that Inglis won’t be considered for the top order at this time. “Not in the short term… I don’t think that he’s someone that we would be looking to place at the top of the order,” Bailey said. “But there is no doubt that the form is really fantastic at the moment.”
The coaching staff for the T20I series will also look different, with Andrew McDonald, Michael Di Venuto, and Daniel Vettori focusing on preparations for the Test series in Perth.
Assistant coach Andre Borovec will step in as head coach for the T20I series, a role he previously filled during the series against India last October. Former batter Brad Hodge will join the staff as an assistant, along with Matthew Wade, who captained the T20 side in February and will now be in a coaching role.
The Australian T20I squad for the Pakistan series includes: 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, and Adam Zampa.
