Josh Inglis named interim Twenty20 captain and will lead Australia against Pakistan in Perth ODI

Josh Inglis is set to captain Australia in its Twenty20 series against Pakistan this month and in front of home fans in Sunday’s one-day international at Optus Stadium.

Australia are set to rest a host of stars from Perth match against Pakistan on Sunday to give them an extended lead-in to the first Test from November 22.

Inglis will have handed the interim captaincy ahead of Glenn Maxwell and Adelaide Strikers skipper Matt Short in the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh and Travis Head.

That’s despite the wicket-keeper never having captained Perth Scorchers. Aaron Hardie deputised for Ashton Turner last summer while he was injured.

The second match of the three-game series will be played in Adelaide on Friday.

“I haven’t done a heap of it in the recent past, but I think as a wicket-keeper you are always looking for ways to influence the game and you are always looking for ways to change the game and I don’t like seeing the game go flat, I like to keep it moving and try and be creative,” Inglis said.

“There are a lot of guys missing, preparing for the Test summer and we have got quite a young group as well, so I’m just really happy to be appointed.”

Inglis had been pushed as an option for the Test team this summer by New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd, but he says he is focused on just piling on more good performances.

“In terms of the Test stuff, all I can do is put performances on the board, I’m not picking the side, so I will leave that to them,” he said.

“Alex (Carey) is doing really well, he has been in the Test side for a while now and he has put some great performances on the board.

“It’s not a rivalry, keepers always seem to look after each other and we’re a bit of a group together. It’s good to see him doing well but obviously I would like to get into that side at some point.”

Inglis said fans will just have to get used to the chop-and-change nature of Australia’s white-ball teams. Test players Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne have all been pulled out of the Perth match in a blow to its star-power.

“I guess that’s the nature of world and international cricket at the moment, I think there’s so many series, so many tournaments going on that not everyone can play everything, especially the fast bowlers,” he said.

“There’s obviously been a lot of player movement in the last few series and I think that’s going to continue.”

Selection chair George Bailey told Inglis he would be leading the side when it was picked last week.

“Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field,” Bailey said.

“He has led Australia A previously and will bring strong tactical nous and a positive approach to the role.

“Josh will receive great support from the likes of Matt Short and Adam Zampa, along with senior players including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.”

Queensland bowlers Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett have been called into the squad, as has former West Australian Josh Philippe for the final match of the 50-over series in Perth.

West Australian quick Lance Morris joined the squad before the first match while Hazlewood was on Sheffield Shield duties for New South Wales and will remain with the group.