Former Cricketer Brad Hogg supports the idea of West Aussie Josh Inglis as an opener in the Australian Test side against India later this year. 

Australia is searching for a top order batsman to replace all-rounder Cameron Green who will miss the test summer after undergoing surgery for a back injury, with veteran batsman Steve Smith returning to his preferred slot at number four. 

The wicketkeeper’s name has been thrown up as a left field option after a magnificent start to his Sheffield Shield season this year following a series of match-saving knocks for WA. 

In four innings, Inglis has found himself in the top three Shield run scorers making 297 runs at an average of 99. He sits just behind current Australian keeper Alex Carey (366) and teen sensation Sam Konstas (302) in the count.  

“I like the idea of Inglis the other day. I think he’s able to do the job,” Hogg told SportFM.

”We’ve seen him in a number of situations at WA when he started during the second new ball and he handled it really well, so that’s not a bad option to go with.” 

However, Hogg also questioned the age profile of the current Australia batting line up and other contenders for the vacant opening spot. 

He suggested leaning into getting experience into a younger batsman could be another route to go, and a more preferable one.  

“Cameron Bancroft or Marcus Harris are over the age of 30 now and you look at the top four that Australia has. You’ve got Khawaja, Labuschagne, as well as Steve Smith. Steve Smith and Khawaja are probably coming to the end of their careers,” he said. 

“If I was looking for the future of cricket, I’d be looking for a junior to bat in that position and try and get as much experience under his belt as possible before we lose a couple of players in our top order.

“We’ve seen Sam Konstas, from New South Wales, but I’d even look at Henry Hunt from South Australia. I think he’s one you can look at. He’s still 27 years of age, still has a lot to offer with Australian cricket.” 

The first test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy and Australian summer gets underway in Perth at Optus Stadium in late November, meaning a decision will need to be made in the coming weeks. 

India’s summer is already underway, with India taking on New Zealand in a three-test series. India are facing the humiliating prospect of a Kiwi clean-sweep on home soil after losing to them by 113 runs over the weekend in Mumbai. 

With their confidence knocked and the demons of the first and only test to be played between India and Australia at Optus Stadium in 2018 lingering, Hog believes Australia should have no issues against India later on.

“I wouldn’t say that India are going to have to do a rebuild,” he said. 

“They’ve got so much talent there and while they’re coming over here to Australia, I think they’ve also got a  T20 tournament somewhere in South Africa as well, so they’ve got plenty of depth there.” 

“But India coming here, it’s a big worry for them. It’s not having Shami, and I don’t think they have that depth to make up the fast bowling department. I think that’s probably where they’re going to falter over here. 

“I think fitness is playing a part there and I think Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, with the form that they’re in and with not having Shami here, I think Australia should be able to win the test series quite easily later on on the year.” 

IMAGE: Code Sports