Mitchell Marsh named captain for T20I against West Indies

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been named captain of a 14-member Australia squad for a forthcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies starting on February 09.

The 32-year-old Australian all-rounder took the reins of the side for the tour of South Africa late last year while Matthew Wade took charge for the five-match series in India following the ODI World Cup 2023.

Cricket Australia is yet to confirm who will lead the side at the T20 World Cup 2024. Marsh’s appointment as a skipper for the West Indies series should make him one of the contenders.

Pat Cummins, another captaincy option, has been rested for this series along with Mitchell Starc. Both pacers have been “managed” for the series due to “ongoing minor physical issues” but are expected to return for the next series in New Zealand, marking Australia’s last T20I assignment ahead of the World Cup.

Another notable player missing from the squad is senior batter Steve Smith who has been rested after being trialed as an opener in the away series against India. 

The selectors have decided to give Adelaide Strikers captain Matt Short an extended run at opening the batting. Short, who scored 541 runs in the Big Bash League this season, will be expected to open the batting with David Warner, who remains active in this format. 

Glenn Maxwell has also been named in the squad after being rested from the preceding Dettol ODI series. Besides him, pace bowler Nathan Ellis who was also withdrawn from the ODI squad due to an injury, has also been named for the T20Is.

Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in the squad with Ashton Agar and Tanveer Sangha left out along with Big Bash top performer Matt Kuhnemann.

The squad will assemble on February 07, two days before the opening game in Hobart. The first game of the three-match T20I series will be played on February 09.

Men’s Dettol T20I series vs West Indies

1st T20I - February 09, Blundstone Arena, Hobart

2nd T20I - February 11, Adelaide Oval

3rd T20I - February 13, Perth Stadium

Australia squad:

Mitchell Marsh(c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

West Indies squad:

Rovman Powell(c), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.