West Australian Josh Inglis to become Test cap 470 after winning middle-order race
Josh Inglis is locked in for his Test debut, with the WA gloveman winning the race to fill Travis Head’s middle-order spot in Sri Lanka.
After Australia confirmed Head will move to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, Inglis was in a three-way race for his spot at No.5 alongside Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney.
While Konstas was the incumbent batter, he had never batted below No.3 in his fledgling first-class career and is untested in spinning conditions.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Inglis averages 36.41 in first-class cricket, mostly coming in the middle order, but in his past two Shield seasons has averaged more than 50 including three centuries.
The 29-year-old also has subcontinent experience as part of Australia’s white-ball set-up, including their World Cup win in India, and is considered the best player of spin out of the trio.
He will play as a specialist batter in becoming Australia’s 470th male Test player, with Alex Carey set to keep the gloves.
Inglis is likely to take up Head’s mantle of a middle-order aggressor, striking at just under 80 across the Sheffield Shield season, the highest amongst the top 20 run scorers this season.
“(Inglis) is quite comfortable where his game’s at, he’s been around a while, played a lot of cricket,” Steve Smith said.
“He provides really good skills against spin, he scores all around the ground. If he gets an opportunity, he’ll do a really good job.”
In a big hint, Josh Inglis was seen practising boundary catching on the eve of the Test further adding weight to his selection as a specialist batter.
