Josh Inglis Calf Injury Casts Doubt on Sydney Test Availability & BBL

Josh Inglis, a keeper-batter, will not play in the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 29-year-old fielded a few times but hasn't played in any of the series' games thus far. The ICC has announced that Josh Inglis will miss the last Test of the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India because of an injury. Inglis was Alex Carey's only backup and was not expected to make his Test debut in Sydney. 

Given that Peter Handscomb is presently the favourite, Australia is probably going to add another batter in his absence. Nathan McSweeney, who was benched during the third Test in Gabba, would possibly be a possibility. A representative for Cricket Australia confirmed that Inglis, 29, will miss the last match of the India series in Sydney after suffering a calf injury while sub-fielding on the second day of the fourth Test at the MCG.

Josh Inglis suffers a big blow:

ICC quotes Cricket Australia saying, "Josh Inglis sustained a low-grade calf strain while fielding on day two of the fourth Test match against India and will leave the squad to undergo rehabilitation. A replacement in the squad for the fifth Test match in Sydney will be announced in due course. Inglis is anticipated to be available for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka which follows the home Test Series."

Josh Inglis picked up an injury as the sub fielder on Day Two of the Boxing Day Test. #AUSvIND

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024

It's interesting to note that Inglis was Australia's only backup hitter for the Boxing Day Test. The hosts will now have to turn to Sean Abbott in case Australia needs a concussion substitute after all-rounder Beau Webster was cut from the team on Saturday, December 28 to play in the BBL. Inglis has played more than 50 white-ball matches for Australia and was a vital part of the squad that won the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India last year, despite the fact that he has not yet made his Test debut.

Watch this space for more cricket news.