The blow for Australia as a star player suffered a calf injury ahead of the Sydney vs India Test

Australia’s batting depth has taken a hit as stand-in wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will not be available for the final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India due to injury, according to the ICC. Inglis injured his calf during the second day of the fourth Test at the MCG, with a Cricket Australia spokesman confirming the 29-year-old will be ruled out for the final match of the series against India in Sydney. Australia will name a replacement for Inglis ahead of the fifth Test starting on January 3, while the hosts believe he will be available for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka, which includes two Tests in the ICC World Test Championship series.

“Josh Inglis suffered a low calf strain while fielding on the second day of the fourth Test against India and will leave the squad to undergo rehabilitation. A replacement in the squad for the fifth Test in Sydney will be announced in due course.” Inglis is expected to be available for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, which follows the home Test series,” the ICC quoted Cricket Australia as saying.

While Inglis is yet to make his Test debut, he has played more than 50 white-ball matches for Australia and was a key member of the team that won the Men’s Cricket World Cup in India last year.

Good form at domestic level has seen Inglis’ Test stock rise and the right-hander is in contention for his first start in Melbourne, while star batsman Travis Head has proved he is ready for the match.

With the ongoing BGT series currently level at 1-1, both sides will play the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test to secure the crucial series lead needed to push their case for the ICC World Test Championship final.

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