Australia have been dealt an untimely blow ahead of their T20I series against New Zealand, with key wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis being ruled out due to a calf strain. This unfortunate injury not only disrupts Australia’s plans for the three-match series but also adds to a growing list of player absences, forcing a change in the squad’s composition just days before the first match.

Calf strain rules out Josh Inglis from T20I action

Inglis, a vital cog in Australia’s white-ball setup, sustained the calf strain during a running session in Perth. Scans confirmed the injury, making him unavailable for the series set to begin on October 1 in Mount Maunganui. This is not the first time Inglis has faced a calf issue, having experienced a similar setback during a Test match against India last year that sidelined him from a portion of the Big Bash League season. The recurring nature of this injury, along with admitted back spasms, raises some concerns about his long-term fitness and management.

Inglis’s absence is particularly significant for the T20 team. He has been a dynamic force in the middle order, providing a crucial link between the top-order power hitters and the lower-order finishers. With two T20I centuries to his name while batting at No. 3, his ability to score quickly and against both pace and spin will be sorely missed. His versatility as a batter and his reliable glovework made him an integral part of the team’s balance.

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Replacement announced for Inglis

In a swift move, the Australian selectors have called up Alex Carey as a replacement for Inglis. While Carey is a regular in the Test and ODI squads, his T20I record is more modest. His last T20I appearance as a wicket-keeper was in 2020 before he briefly filled in for Inglis during a series against South Africa in August. However, Carey’s recent form in ODI cricket, where he has excelled as a finisher, likely played a role in his recall.

For Carey, this is a significant opportunity to prove his mettle in the shortest format of the game and solidify his position. His experience and reliable glovework behind the stumps will be a welcome addition, and he will be under the spotlight to provide stability in the middle order. His call-up also highlights the selectors’ predicament, as they had not named a reserve wicketkeeper in the initial squad.

Australia’s squad for New Zealand tour (updated):

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

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