 |
|
Josh Inglis, a wicketkeeper-batter born in Leeds, England, is set to make history as the second England-born player to captain Australia's men's cricket team. This momentous occasion comes as regular T20I captain Mitchell Marsh is on paternity leave and ODI skipper Pat Cummins will be preparing for upcoming Test matches against India. Inglis, who migrated to Australia with his family at the age of 14, will lead the team in the three-game T20 series against Pakistan, as well as the final ODI in Perth. The announcement of his captaincy debut was made by national selection panel chair George Bailey, who playfully hinted at Inglis's Yorkshire heritage, suggesting he work on his Australian accent.
Inglis, a hard-hitting batter, expressed his honor and privilege at the appointment, acknowledging the significance of leading Australia despite his English roots. He attributed his passion for cricket to his formative years in Yorkshire, where he dreamt of playing the game as much as possible, never imagining he would one day captain Australia. Although his previous captaincy experience is limited to club and youth levels, Inglis is confident in his ability to lead the team, drawing on his experience as a wicketkeeper and his aggressive playing style. He plans to rely on the experience of senior players like Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa for guidance and support.
The article highlights the significance of Inglis's captaincy, not only for his personal journey but also for the historical context. He follows in the footsteps of Percy McDonnell, the only other England-born player to captain Australia at the international level. McDonnell led Australia against England in 1887 and 1888, winning just one of his six matches. However, he is remembered as the first Test skipper to send an opposing side into bat, a tactic that proved successful in two matches against England. Inglis, who previously admitted to being an ardent England football fan, finds himself in the unique position of captaining his adopted country against the land of his birth.
The article also provides details about the upcoming Australia v Pakistan limited-overs series, including the squads, match schedules, and broadcast information. It mentions that Pakistan's coaching staff, featuring Jason Gillespie and Tim Nielsen, are familiar with Adelaide Oval and will likely adjust their tactics accordingly. The article concludes with Inglis's humorous response to being asked if he will change his batting position upon becoming captain. He confirms that he will leave the batting order decisions to coach Andrew McDonald, indicating a willingness to focus on his leadership role and trust the team's expertise.