Mitchell Marsh has confirmed he will play as a specialist batter in Australia’s upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. The 33-year-old has not bowled since the Test series against India and has only bowled once, during an ODI against England at Lord’s in September 2024.

Marsh also didn’t bowl in any of his 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2025 IPL season. In the West Indies T20Is, he will open the batting alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, who returns to the squad in place of the injured Spencer Johnson.

"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.

Of the players who featured in Australia’s 3-0 Test series win, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Alex Carey will not take part in the limited-overs series. Marsh said their absence creates an opportunity for emerging talents to step up and showcase their skills.

"First and foremost, it's always 'we're representing Australia, we're here to win the series' and culturally, that's how we want to go about it.

There will be guys who get opportunities. We've got a few guys missing for this series for a well-earned rest. We'll see guys bat in different positions and get opportunities in certain positions,” Marsh added.

Amongst the newcomers, Mitchell Owen is set to make his debut in the opening T20I on July 20 (July 21 in India) at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Owen played a key role in the Hobart Hurricanes’ title-winning campaign in the 2024-25 Big Bash League, including scoring a century in the final.

Attention will also be on rising talents like Cooper Connolly and others eager to make their mark.

Australia squad for West Indies T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Adam Zampa

 

Australia squad for West Indies T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Adam Zampa