Mitch Marsh has been appointed as Australia’s men’s Twenty20 captain, set to lead a squad to the World Cup that does not include Steve Smith or Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Selectors officially confirmed Marsh’s appointment on Wednesday, succeeding Aaron Finch after several players juggled the role in the past 18 months.
After captaining Australia on recent tours, Marsh’s first full-time appointment will be at next month’s World Cup in the Caribbean and United States.
He will go there without Smith or Fraser-McGurk, with the pair overlooked in Australia’s provisional 15-man squad.
Smith’s axing marks the first time he has not been picked for an Australia squad on form in more than a decade.
He last missed a World Cup in any format in 2012.
The 34-year-old had hoped to open in this year’s tournament, but had always been at long odds given the country’s depth in that position.
Fraser-McGurk’s absence is more controversial, given his stunning form in the Indian Premier League.
The opener’s strike-rate of 233.33 is the best of any player in the tournament with 100 or more runs, after bursting onto the scene for Delhi.
But that has not been enough to crack Australia’s side, with Travis Head and David Warner most likely to open at the World Cup.
Marsh is expected to bat at No.3 in Australia’s best XI, with Glenn Maxwell at No.4.
There had been the option of batting Fraser-McGurk lower down the order as a finisher, but Tim David has instead held his spot in the squad.
Jake Fraser-McGurk of the Renegades looks on during the BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium, on December 26, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Marcus Stoinis is also included as an allrounder who can act as a finisher, while Australia have selected two wicketkeepers in Matt Wade and Josh Inglis.
Ashton Agar has been named alongside Adam Zampa as a second spinner on wickets expected to turn, while Nathan Ellis is the fourth quick behind the regular three.
“The batting options available allow a tailored approach to each venue and opponent,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“Steve Smith, Matt Short, Jason Behrendorff, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett were all part of long conversations, along with several others, including Jake Fraser-McGurk who is yet to play T20 International cricket but continues to impress and is developing rapidly.”
Steve Smith of Australia reacts during day four of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba on January 28, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Officials have until May 25 to alter their squad without ICC approval.
Victory in the upcoming tournament would make Australia world champions across all men’s and women’s formats.
AUSTRALIA’S PROVISIONAL 15-MAN SQUAD FOR T20 WORLD CUP
Mitch Marsh (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Interesting perspective from Rooster in an interview reported by Foxsports: "Look, a month and a half ago I wasn’t even in the picture...There’s hopefully going to be more time for that...But (the omission) didn’t really bother me a hell of a lot because I wasn’t in this position to feel like I’ve earned that yet...World Cup cricket is a lot different to IPL and franchise cricket." A lot of maturity for 22 years old.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Yes Dave he is an outstanding fielder and has looked after himself ... not that I actually referred to Warner or meant to in my post.. and your right though he is batting poorly but probably because of a badly bruised hand. Saying that... young blokes in form need to be looked at now I hope they take JFM away as a replacement/ reserve
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
but he is another who locked away his spot in the summer. 70 off 36 and 81 off 49 at the top level
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
That’s true in T20s. But since then in all T20s is 28 in 11 innings. And he just looks like he’s lost it in the IPL, on the flattest and truest tracks ever seen - nothing for spin or pace. But yes some credit in the bank for his previous T20Is. And his spin is going Ok, which might be useful in the Caribbean where pitches might turn a bit more than this season’s IPL.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Warner still a great athlete and outfielder, just batting the issue.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
If "we're going on form" then JFM would be in and Starc & Warner would be out. Speaking of JFM, I lucked into seeing his recent IPL 84 off fa balls... Interesting batting technique. He hit almost everything with a slightly closed face of the bat. A bigger ground (and they couldn't get any smaller) may errr... catch him out.
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
All the players are inconsistent who bat in his position
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
They play 2 different roles in the team so its hard to compare them. JFM very unlucky and is ahead of a few but David was always going to be selected
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Agar took a lot of wickets in the West Indies last time Aus toured there - that’s probably what’s gotten him over the line. Only a couple of years ago he was close to the number one T20I bowler. He did have a poor BBL though.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
If only Warne was an option…
jameswm
Roar Guru
Harder to et out than in the squad. I mean, really? Just pick the youngster in hot form. Pick him ahead of Warne, David, Stoinis or Wade.
Ace
Roar Rookie
I believe young athletic guys in form are over qualified in George's opinion
The Bush
Roar Guru
Fair enough!
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
inconsistency should be expected of people we ask to go at 250 from ball 1 against the older ball with the field out. that's why we should pick 2-3 of them. and our allrounder glut allows us to do that.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
time compresses for us all. even Maxy. yes his this month form in the IPL is worrying, even for him and even based on the obvious risks of his style. yet.... he has 2 x unbeaten centuries, both at +200SR, in his last 7 T20Is. one of them was around 9 weeks ago. if i have that right, he has as many tons in his last 7 games as the rest of the squad combined. neither of them opening, the place where the vast majority of tons are scored in the format. (he's also bowling well at the moment).
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah. But that’s who is open with
13th Man
Roar Rookie
He is, but the chance of him playing another innings like vs Afghanistan gets him over the line. What you can’t then do is surround him with other out of form players.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
How is it between him and Head? Those two together would make the most damaging opening partnership in international cricket. Drop the old man Warner.
josh
Roar Rookie
This is a Dad Army team. There is a strong chance that George Bailey doesn't know what he's doing, and has gone for the "the boys" selection policy.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Short’s not in the squad…