Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson are set to make their return to the Australian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, as selectors prioritize rest for Test players ahead of their crucial matches against India. While a new captain has yet to be appointed, Australia’s recent T20I skippers, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, along with Test captain Pat Cummins, are unavailable for selection.
Given this situation, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Matthew Short, and Aaron Hardie—each having previous captaincy experience in the Big Bash League—are potential candidates for the role. Additionally, Josh Inglis is considered a strong contender, recognized for his tactical expertise and leadership capabilities, particularly during his tenure as vice-captain of the Perth Scorchers.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed that a decision regarding the captaincy will be made as the series approaches. “I think there’s a number of players with the ability to captain and some that have had some captaincy experience as well,” he stated. “We’ll work through that.”
Johnson has recently re-emerged onto the domestic stage after battling injuries that sidelined him during the rigorous tour of the UK, where Bartlett and Ellis were also hampered by physical setbacks. While Johnson made his return last Friday in a One-Day Cup match for South Australia against Queensland, both Bartlett, recovering from a side strain, and Ellis, nursing a hamstring injury, are expected to regain full fitness in time for the three-match T20I series, which kicks off on November 14 and wraps up on November 18.
The 13-man squad reflects a familiar lineup, echoing the composition that undertook the tour of the UK in September. Maxwell rejoins the team after being rested during the T20 portion of that trip. Opening partners Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk are anticipated to start, mimicking their likely positions in the ODI series that precedes the T20Is against Pakistan. Notably, Fraser-McGurk batted at No. 3 in his last T20I appearance, with Short as the opening batsman alongside Head.
With the series concluding just four days prior to the pivotal Test match against India in Perth, the decision was made to rest all key Test players. Marsh and Head are also absent from the ODI series, as both are currently on paternity leave. Bailey clarified, “They just cross over a little bit in terms of the preparation. The Test squad will be arriving in Perth and sort of 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 and that’ll be the first time that we get that group together. So rather than switching guys in and out and it becoming quite messy, it was just deemed more appropriate for a number of reasons to separate them out.”
However, Bailey mentioned the possibility of some members of the T20I squad joining the Test group if necessary after the series. “You’ve just got to cover your bases in case you lose the wrong person at the wrong time,” he noted. “If that does shift, we can get someone across to Perth, and their preparation would look a little bit different, but that’d be okay.”
Bailey also touched on Inglis’s potential role in the T20I side. “I’ve spoken to Josh on this,” he said. “Not in the short term. I don’t think that he’s someone that we’d be looking to place at the top of the order. But there’s no doubt that the form is really fantastic at the moment, as we’ve seen when he has been playing for Australia. The ability to jump back into domestic cricket and dominate, as he has been, has been fantastic.”
Australia will also see a shift in their coaching setup for the T20I series. With head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Michael Di Venuto, and bowling coach Daniel Vettori taking a brief hiatus before rejoining the team’s preparations in Perth, assistant coach Andre Borovec will lead the squad, continuing the role he undertook during the five-match T20I series against India last October. Former Australia batter Brad Hodge will also join as an assistant coach after serving as a consultant during the T20 World Cup in June, while Matthew Wade, who remains active in international cricket and previously captained the T20I squad, is reportedly set to come on board in a coaching capacity.
Australia’s T20I squad vs Pakistan: 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, Adam Zampa.
Alex Malcolm is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo.
**Interview with George Bailey, Chairman of Selectors for Australian Cricket**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, George. The upcoming T20I series against Pakistan is generating a lot of excitement, especially with the return of Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson. Can you tell us how their return will impact the squad?
**George Bailey:** Absolutely. We are thrilled to have Xavier, Nathan, and Spencer back in the mix. Each of them brings a unique skill set, and their recent performances in domestic cricket have shown that they’re ready to contribute. Their presence will certainly strengthen our bowling attack and add depth to our squad.
**Interviewer:** With Test players like Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins unavailable, how are you approaching the captaincy for this series?
**George Bailey:** That’s a good question. We have several players who have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Matthew Short, and Aaron Hardie—all of whom have experience captaining in the Big Bash League. Josh Inglis is also a strong candidate, especially with his tactical expertise as vice-captain of the Perth Scorchers. It’s crucial we make a well-informed decision as we get closer to the series.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of leadership, what are your thoughts on how resting key Test players aligns with the team’s long-term strategy?
**George Bailey:** It’s a careful balancing act. The decision to rest key players was made with the Test matches against India in mind. We want to ensure that our Test squad is in optimal condition when they arrive in Perth. By separating the formats, we can focus individual preparations more appropriately, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring our players are at their best for the Test summer.
**Interviewer:** Can you shed some light on the injury situations of Bartlett and Ellis? Will they be fully fit for the T20I series?
**George Bailey:** Both players have been recovering well from their injuries. Xavier is dealing with a side strain, while Nathan has been managing a hamstring issue. The feedback we’ve received from their respective teams is positive and we’re optimistic they will regain full fitness before the T20I series kicks off on November 14th.
**Interviewer:** will the squad composition remain similar to the one that toured the UK in September?
**George Bailey:** Yes, that’s the plan. We’ve kept a familiar lineup which should provide some continuity. We’re looking for players like Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk to build on their partnerships since they showed a lot of promise during the previous series. The objective is to create a cohesive unit that can adapt quickly and perform well against Pakistan.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, George, for the insights. We look forward to seeing how the team performs in the upcoming series!
**George Bailey:** Thank you for having me! Exciting times ahead for Australian cricket.
Ailey:** Resting key Test players is a strategic decision we had to make with the bigger picture in mind, particularly with a crucial Test series against India on the horizon. By prioritizing their preparation, we can ensure they are in optimal shape for the challenges ahead. It’s a delicate balance, but we believe that focusing on individual fitness and readiness now will pay off when the Test matches commence.
**Interviewer:** It seems like the team is navigating a unique situation with the coaching setup as well. Can you elaborate on the impact of having assistant coach Andre Borovec lead the squad for this series?
**George Bailey:** Certainly. Andre has been with the team and understands the players and their dynamics well. His continuity will provide stability during this transition. With our head coaches taking a brief break, having someone like Andre at the helm ensures we maintain our focus and strategy leading into the series. Plus, we’re excited to have Brad Hodge and Matthew Wade join us in a coaching capacity to bring their invaluable experience to the group.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how are you preparing for the possibility of some members of the T20I squad stepping into the Test group after the series?
**George Bailey:** We are always thinking ahead. The landscape of international cricket is unpredictable; injuries can occur and players can be called up on short notice. That’s why we’re ensuring our T20I squad is equipped and ready for any transition to the Test squad. Communication is key, and we’ll be monitoring the players closely to ensure they’re prepared if that moment arises.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, George. We look forward to seeing how the squad performs against Pakistan!
**George Bailey:** Thank you for having me! We’re excited too and eager to see these players showcase their talent on the international stage.
