Australia’s 6 one-cap ODI captains – Josh Inglis and who else?

Jonhenry Wilson 10 Nov 2024

Josh Inglis of Australia has cap on his head and sunglasses

Josh Inglis is among several players to have captained Australia just once in ODI cricket.

Josh Inglis captained Australia for the first time in ODI cricket this month. Whether he will ever add to this ODI captaincy tally remains in the balance.

Australia have had several long-term ODI captains over the years, but have also had one man in charge for just one match as well. There are a few examples of this.

Let’s have a look at the Australian captains who have only been deployed at the helm in ODI cricket just once.

Josh Hazlewood

Regular captain Pat Cummins was rested for Australia’s second ODI against England in November 2022. The responsibility went to Hazlewood for the one match. He grabbed the chance with both hands, snaring the key wickets of James Vince and Phil Salt in a big win for the home side in Sydney. It’s likely that Hazlewood will get another chance to captain Australia again in the future.

Cameron White

White played 91 ODIs for Australia – and on only one occasion was afforded the opportunity to captain them in the format. It was against England in Perth, in 2011, when seven-match ODI marathons were still being played. Australia had an unassailable five-one series lead at the time. White and company made it six-one to deny England any form of closing consolation.

Ray Bright

Bright’s international career spanned 12 years and, one proud day in April 1986, he got to captain his country in ODI cricket. The captaincy evidently empowered his primary role with the ball, as he was statistically Australia’s best bowler in that ODI defeat to Pakistan in Sharjah. Interestingly, Bright was picked as captain despite the presence of David Boon, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh and other candidates.

David Hookes

Hookes collected several ODI captains for the Australians, but only captained them once in the format. It was during the 1983 World Cup, against India, at Chelmsford. He fell for a mere single and his side lost the match heavily to the Indians. Understandably, then, Hookes never captained the Australians in ODI competition again.

Bill Lawry

Lawry was Australia’s first ever captain in ODI cricket. His only ODI as captain was also his only ODI as a player. It was in 1971, when the Aussies played England in Melbourne. Lawry put in 27 at the top of the order as his side successfully chased a 191-run target with 42 deliveries to spare. A 100 percent winning record for ODI captain Lawry, indeed.

Josh Inglis

Playing wicketkeeper, captaining the team and being responsible for middle-order runs didn’t really go Inglis’ way against Pakistan in November 2024. He scored just seven runs, didn’t take any catches and lost the match by eight wickets inside 27 overs of the chase.