Australia will be without several key players in Bangladesh for their upcoming white-ball series thanks to a combination of injuries and availability concerns that have prompted late changes to their ODI and T20I squads. The reigning ODI world champions have confirmed their squads for the six-match tour, but regular captain Mitchell Marsh, explosive opener Travis Head, and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha will all miss the 50-over leg of the campaign.
March has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. However, he is expected to join the squad in Dhaka and begin preparations for the T20I series, where he will lead Australia. Head, meanwhile, has been granted personal leave and will miss the entire Bangladesh tour, including both the ODI and T20I series.
Australia have also been dealt a setback with Sangha sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury during the recent tour of Pakistan. In response, selectors have added off-spinner Todd Murphy to the ODI squad, while young batter Ollie Peake and all-rounder Matt Short have retained their places. The trio effectively come in for Marsh, Head and Sangha.
Josh Inglis will continue as ODI captain after leading Australia during their recent one-day series in Pakistan. The wicketkeeper-batter will oversee a squad that combines experienced internationals with emerging talent.
National selector Tony Dodemaide revealed that Australia had hoped Marsh would be fit in time for the ODI fixtures but decided against rushing the all-rounder back into action.
“We were hopeful Mitch Marsh would be available for the Bangladesh ODI series however he is still returning to full fitness from an ankle injury. Mitch will join the group in Dhaka and begin preparations for the T20I Series,” Dodemaide said.
“Travis was initially selected in the ODI and T20I legs of this Bangladesh tour but has subsequently been granted personal leave for both. We look forward to seeing him again for the top end Test Series against Bangladesh,” he added.
The absences of Marsh and Head could create further opportunities for 19-year-old Ollie Peake, who made his international debut in Pakistan and is regarded as one of Australia’s most promising young batting talents. Short has also earned an extended run in the squad after impressing during the Pakistan series with valuable contributions with both bat and ball.
