Josh Inglis, Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman, has been ruled out with a calf injury, putting him out for the T20I series against New Zealand. Alex Carey, who has been draughted in as a replacement, will take the field in the three-game series, which begins October 1 at Mount Maunganui.
Inglis sustained the injury during a jogging workout in Perth earlier this week, and scans revealed the strain. This is the 29-year-old’s second calf ailment in less than a year, following a strain he suffered while fielding in the Boxing Day Test against India last December. His injury adds to Australia’s growing list of absentees, which already includes skipper Pat Cummins (lumbar bone stress), Cameron Green (Sheffield Shield obligations ahead of the Ashes), and Nathan Ellis (who is expecting his first child).
Australia’s selectors did not include a backup wicketkeeper in the initial 14-member roster. His injury has necessitated an immediate replacement. Carey, who was slated to play South Australia’s Sheffield Shield opener on October 4, has been called back into the national team.
Meanwhile, Inglis, who has become a key figure in the white-ball setup with two T20I centuries at No. 3, was anticipated to bridge the gap between Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head’s top order and a potent middle order that included Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David. Notably, the batsman has been dealing with periodic back spasms, which he confessed earlier this year had hampered his preparations. At the same time, he is anticipated to return to fitness in time for the ODI series against India, which begins on October 19 in Perth.
Carey last kept wickets in the format back in 2020 before filling in for Inglis during the South Africa series in August this year. Though his batting numbers are decent, his recent ODI form—including a match-saving half-century against India in the Champions Trophy has given a green signal.
India
