Australia opener sidelined with ankle injury as selectors rethink top order plans

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Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan due to an ankle injury, with Josh Inglis set to captain the side in his absence.

Marsh, who was originally named stand-in skipper for the three-match series starting May 30 in Rawalpindi, did not travel with the squad after returning home from the IPL. The allrounder missed Lucknow Super Giants’ final match of the season and will now remain in Australia for further assessment.

Cricket Australia has not confirmed whether Marsh will recover in time for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is in June.

His absence is another setback for Australia, who are already without regular captain Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for the Pakistan series.

Inglis now steps in as Australia’s fourth-choice ODI captain. The wicketkeeper-batter previously led Australia in limited-overs matches against Pakistan in late 2024, while Alex Carey remains another leadership option within the squad.

Marsh’s injury also creates a significant gap at the top of the batting order. The 33-year-old was in outstanding form during the IPL, smashing scores of 111, 90 and 96 in his final four innings while striking at over 163.

With Travis Head unavailable, selectors had planned for Matt Short and Marsh to open in Pakistan. Australia must now find another stand-in opener while also continuing preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

One option could see Alex Carey promoted to the top of the order, potentially allowing highly rated 19-year-old Ollie Peake to make his debut in the middle order.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald also confirmed the team wants to continue experimenting with Cameron Green in a middle-order role as they search for a long-term replacement for Glenn Maxwell in ODI cricket.

No replacement for Marsh has officially been announced yet, although Cooper Connolly could join the squad after becoming available following Punjab Kings’ IPL exit.

Australia’s ODI squad for Pakistan includes Josh Inglis (captain), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa and Ollie Peake among others.