Josh Inglis. (Source – Getty Images)
Captain Mitchell Marsh skipped the T20I series against Pakistan due to the upcoming five-match Test series against India, starting November 22. In his absence, Josh Inglis was handed the responsibility to lead the team and the keeper-batter has done a good job as Australia sealed T20I the series against Pakistan. However, after the series, Inglis noted that captaincy is not an easy job and added that he now needs some sleep, as Australia got the job done.
Inglis also lauded his players for a commendable show in Sydney. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short gave the team a rapid start and with the ball, Spencer Johnson wreaked havoc and picked up a five-wicket haul as the hosts secured a 13-run win.
“We started really well. The boys at the top got us to a flier. It was tough through the middle as they adapted and bowled cutters. There’s so many options in this team I can go to. Every time I turned to Johnson tonight, he got a pole. The way they played tonight was really good (the two openers). Put their bowlers under pressure and got us off to a flier. I need to sleep – it’s tough work this captaincy,” Inglis said after the game.
Never know when your last game is going to be: Johnson
Johnson was adjudged Player of the Match for his spell of five wickets. Pakistan’s batting unit wasn’t ready for his wrath as he picked up the crucial wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan among others. Meanwhile, after the game, Johnson highlighted that he understands the difficulty of breaking into a team that has the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and added a bad game can cost his place in the XI.
“It’s a dream to play for Australia. It’s something I don’t take lightly. Never know when your last game is going to be. Whatever chances I get are a bonus and hopefully, I can play a couple more,” Johnson said.