IN-glis? West Aussie ‘keeper now a shock Test candidate

by Admin
October 23, 2024

Momentum is building around a push for Josh Inglis to be included in Australia’s Test squad to face India this summer, with one respected voice suggesting he could even open the batting.

Inglis has scored back-to-back Sheffield Shield centuries to start the summer and has been named player-of-the-match in both games.

The West Australian wicket-keeper is now considered the most in-form batter in the country as selectors hunt a replacement for Cam Green weeks out from a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Inglis bats in the middle-order for WA, but New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd believes he should open the batting for Australia.

The wicket-keeper has batted up the top in short form cricket and Shipperd has described him as “a right-handed David Warner”.

“Let’s not forget Josh Inglis as well, who I think is probably a smokey in terms of the opening batting spot,” he said.

“I’d have Inglis and (Sam) Konstas in the conversation as one-two, two-one, and let the Australian selectors mull over those two.

“His performances for Australia have been first-class and I think they’re looking for a style of player at the top of the order and Inglis may fit that brief.

“He’s a right-handed version of David Warner, in terms of someone who wants to get on with the play and he’s got strokes all around the wicket.

“He’s played at the level internationally and I think he’s a well-respected player.”

The fact WA’s plug-and-play opening pairing of Cam Bancroft — who failed again on Wednesday — and captain Sam Whiteman have not been broken up this summer indicate selectors have not seriously discussed the possibility of Inglis as a top-order player.

Bancroft has been selected to play for Australia A next week, opening the door for a replacement opener, but Inglis is likely to be on duty with the country’s white-ball team.

Whiteman also made the case for the white-ball regular as a Test candidate after WA’s win over Tasmania on Wednesday.

Inglis pulled WA out of a tricky situation and to a first-innings lead with his 101 on Monday.

“If you’re picking guys off form, absolutely. He is seeing the ball as well as anyone in the country and he is so versatile with his game, the way he transfers from white-ball to red-ball, he just looks in great nick,” Whiteman said.

“I’m all for him playing for Australia in some capacity, absolutely.”

Sam Whiteman. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Bancroft has now made four single-figure scores in as many shield innings so far this summer, but Whiteman again backed him to return to form.

“He’s pretty good to be honest he’s not diving too deep, he is keeping things really simple and I think it’s a matter of time,” he said.

“Each fail is probably one closer to a really big score and he knows that, he has played enough professional cricket in his life, he is a pretty positive guy.”