Image Credit- CA
After being selected to lead Australia in a
three-match T20I series against the West Indies, Mitchell Marsh is solidifying
his status as the team’s probable captain for the T20 World Cup.
While Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Steven Smith
have been rested, Cricket Australia has stated that all three will probably be
included in the squad for the T20I series in New Zealand in late February.
David Warner, Tim David, and Marcus Stoinis have all been included and will
need to return home from their franchise duties early.
After Aaron Finch departed after the 2022 T20 World
Cup, the selectors have not formally decided who will be Australia’s official
T20I captain. Since then, Australia has only played two T20I series; after
winning the ODI World Cup, Matthew Wade took leadership of a diminished side in
India, while Marsh guided an untested team to a 3-0 victory in South Africa.
During the South Africa series when Marsh was captain,
assistant coach Michael Di Venuto filled in for coach McDonald, who was not
there for either of those series. In addition, Daniel Vettori is leading the
West Indies series instead of McDonald, though he might attend a game in
Hobart. George Bailey, the chairman of selectors, said that McDonald and Marsh
will probably get to collaborate after the New Zealand series before a choice
is made on a permanent captain.
“I think we will make a decision about that post
the New Zealand series,” Bailey said. “New Zealand will be the time
when Andrew jumps back in so it’s a good chance to see how those two work
together. Confident that’ll work, but we just haven’t seen it yet. That’s the
way that’s tracking. Mitch will obviously get the opportunity here and likely
to get the opportunity in New Zealand as well.”