Mitchell Marsh ruled out of ODIs with priority given to T20 World Cup

The allrounder has “minor ankle soreness” but will be available for the India tour next month

Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against Zimbabwe and New Zealand with a minor ankle injury but will be available for the T20 tour of India next month ahead of the World Cup in Australia.

Josh Inglis, the Western Australia wicketkeeper-batter, who has been with London Spirit in the Hundred where he had replaced Glenn Maxwell has been called up as a replacement.

Marsh’s injury was described as “minor ankle soreness” and with the proximity of the T20 World Cup, where Marsh will be a key part of the side at No. 3, a cautious approach is being taken. He was used as the first-change bowler in the opening ODI where he took 1 for 22 before falling for 2 in the run chase.

“It’s obviously not ideal for Mitch,” Steven Smith said. “He’s been playing some really good white-ball cricket recently and the way we set up our team the other day with bulk allrounders, he was obviously a big part of that. Disappointing for Mitch but there’s some pretty important stuff coming up, he was a big part of the T20 World Cup campaign last year and sure there’s big plans for him this year so the priority is to get him right for that.”

Marsh’s absence may alter the balance of Australia’s side for the second match in Townsville, although Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar are both part of the squad if they want to retain the allrounder-heavy route which has seen Cameron Green at No. 8, but he may now get the chance higher up the order.

Smith described the pitch for the opening match as “pretty challenging” with spin and seam on offer but was pleased with his first outing of the season.

“The ball was seaming around a fair bit, there was a bit bounce and the spin was pretty hard to line up as well,” he said. “Some were going straight and some were taking off and bouncing so it wasn’t easy, but good to spend time out there and sure it will serve me well.”

Smith has been locked back in at No. 3 in the ODI side as Australia build towards next year’s World Cup and said it was “absolutely” where he preferred batting. “That’s where my record is best,” he added.

Rain hindered Australia’s optional training session on Tuesday but the forecast was set to improve for the match.