‘Do you want to play a game of cricket tomorrow?’ – Josh Inglis opens up about chat with Australia selectors before South Africa clash

Josh Inglis recalled his chat with Australian team selectors before being included in the match against South Africa in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batter said that he simply replied yes to George Bailey when the latter asked if he would be interested in playing, but didn’t foresee he would be included in the playing XI.

Josh Inglis was crucial for Australia in their match against Sri Lanka, helping them to register their first win in the ongoing competition.

He amassed 58 off 59 deliveries, including five boundaries and one maximum. He also put on a 77-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne in their chase of 210 runs.

“I think I was at brekky and Bails (George Bailey) said, ‘Do you want to play a game of cricket tomorrow?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, I do’. I didn’t really see it coming. So that was nice. I’m just really, really pumped to be getting a game at the minute. I can’t take that for granted. Professional cricket is tough and international cricket is even harder. So that doesn’t mean I’ve cracked it now. Still got to put performances on the board because Kez (Carey) is a very good player,” Inglis told cricket.com.au.

Inglis recalls experience on South Africa tour

Josh Inglis further spoke about Australia’s tour to South Africa before the marquee event. The 28-year-old opened up about the lack of game time when he is travelling with the squad. He added that he felt rusty when in South Africa and is happy that he is getting some games now.

“It’s always tough when you’re traveling with a squad and you don’t get that game time. You can train as well as you like, but without playing any games, you’ve got nothing to really fall back on. (In) South Africa, I was pretty rusty, I had one or two decent games but I hadn’t played any cricket for four or five months. So that was nice to get some cricket there and hopefully lead into doing well,” he added.