Australian Test squad member Josh Inglis has sustained a minor calf strain, it was made clear on Sunday. The injury occurred while fielding during the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
LIVE: India vs AustraliaThis injury excludes Inglis from the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. It also puts his participation in the Big Bash League (BBL) season in question.
Inglis will undergo injury management in preparation for the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka. He was serving as the backup batter for the squad on day three. All-rounder Beau Webster's release to play in the BBL left Inglis as the sole reserve batter.
Inglis shared substitute fielding duties with reserve bowler Sean Abbott before sustaining the injury. A statement from Cricket Australia confirmed the low-grade calf strain.
Inglis has been formally released from the Test squad. He is officially ruled out of contention for the Sydney Test. His participation was already unlikely unless another player was injured.
He is, however, anticipated to recover in time for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. There's a strong possibility he could make his Test debut there. His proficiency against spin bowling makes him a potential candidate for the specialist batter role in Galle.
The injury presents a setback for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL. Inglis was available for two of the Scorchers' initial four matches, against the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades. These games were scheduled between the third and fourth Test matches.
His recovery timeline is tight. He has just 22 days to recover before the Australian Test squad departs for a pre-tour camp in the UAE. The first Test in Galle is set to commence on January 29.
Cricket Australia will announce a replacement batter for the fifth Test in Sydney. This situation could potentially open the door for Nathan McSweeney's return to the squad. His versatility in batting across various positions could be valuable. He was previously dropped from the squad in favour of Sam Konstas before the Boxing Day Test.
Beau Webster, despite featuring in the BBL on Saturday night, remains part of the Test squad and is available for selection if needed. Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott also remain with the squad as backup fast bowlers.
There were some concerns about Mitchell Starc on Saturday. He received on-field treatment for back pain.
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