Australia's Mitchell Marsh likely to miss ODI series vs Pakistan, this player to captain: Report

Australia’s stand-in ODI captain Mitchell Marsh is likely to miss the ODI series against Pakistan due to an ankle niggle and fatigue. As per a report by Australia’s Code Sports, Marsh is set to be replaced by his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) opening partner Josh Inglis.

The three-ODI series begins on May 30. Marsh’s LSG were out of the playoffs contention early. He missed their last game of the league stage and left the camp. He was the LSG's only batter in race for orange cap. From 13 innings, he scored 563 runs at an average of 43.30 and strike rate of 163.18, including a century and three fifties.

ALSO READ: 'It was all about cash for you. Give me a break, you muppet': Gillespie slams Pietersen for hammering Cook over Bethell comment

Cricket Australia (CA) is yet to make an official statement. Inglis who is set to lead a second-string Australian side in the ODI series, played five games for LSG this season. He scored 266 runs from five innings at an average of 53.20 and strike rate of 186.01. He scored three fifties in the season as well.

ALSO READ: After Travis Head’s wife, Jason Holder says he received comments on social media after ‘little thing with Virat’

If Inglis leads Australia on May 30, it won’t be the first time he has donned the captaincy hat in ODIs. The last time he captained was against Pakistan as well. In 2024, he captained Australia in Perth. Pakistan ended up bowling out Australia for 140 and won the match by eight wickets. They won the ODI series 2-1.

Who will open in absence of Marsh?

Australia are already without the services of their star pace trio – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Two of them are involved in IPL 2026 playoffs. Also, Travis Head who captained Australia in a few T20 World Cup 2026 games is busy playing IPL 2026 as well. In Marsh's absence, Inglis may open alongside Matthew Short. Other opening options are debutant Ollie Peake, Matt Renshaw and even Marnus Labuschagne. Since Cooper Connolly’s Punjab Kings (PBKS) are out of the tournament, he is one of the potential replacements for Marsh.

Australia’s 15-man squad for Pakistan ODI series

Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matthew Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.