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After registering a complete clean sweep over West Indies in three-match Test series, the action has now shifted towards the white-ball leg, where the two teams will lock horns in as many as five T20Is. While the Aussies will be without some of their key players, including Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh has been designated with the captaincy reins.
Hours ahead of the series opener, Australia confirmed their playing XI, which saw Mitchell Owen being handed his T20I debut. Moreover, Jake Fraser-McGurk earned a recall after Matt Short was confirmed to be out due to a side strain, he sustained during a training session.
Mitchell Marsh to play as specialist batter; refrains from getting back to bowling
But prior to the start of the series, Marsh confirmed his role in the side apart from leading the team. The Aussie all-rounder confirmed that he will feature as a specialist batter. "Currently the bowling's offline and we'll just see where that gets to. But looking forward to just playing as a batsman for the moment," Marsh said. It is to be noted that the 33-year-old hasn’t bowled since the Test series against India. He only bowled once during an ODI against England at Lord’s in September 2024. Marsh did not take up bowling during his IPL 2025 stint with Lucknow Super Giants as he continues to regain full-fitness from recurring back injury.
Speaking of the ongoing series, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the T20I series as they won the opening match at Sabina Park by three wickets. Winning the toss, Australia elected to bowl first. The home side, who are coming from a 0-3 drubbing, put up 189 runs on the board, courtesy a 39-ball 55 from Shai Hope and a 60 from Roston Chase. Later, on the back of fifty-plus scores from Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen, Aussie chased the target in 18.5 overs.
Australia’s T20I squad for West Indies series
Mitchell Marsh (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, Matthew Kuhnemann
