Bridgetown: Josh Inglis says he’s drawing confidence from a dream Test debut earlier this year but isn’t treating this week’s clash against the West Indies as a make-or-break audition to stay in Australia’s XI.
Inglis was told by chair of selectors George Bailey last week that he would play the first of three Tests in the Caribbean, with Marnus Labuschagne dropped and Steve Smith sidelined with a finger injury.
As of Monday afternoon local time (Tuesday AEST), Inglis said he hadn’t been told where he would bat, but expected to slot in at No. 3, 4 or 5.
“We’ll work through that the next few days … and prep accordingly,” said Inglis of his spot in the order. “I’m very happy to be back in the side.
“I wouldn’t say I had a sense [of a recall]. You never really know, but obviously with Smudge [Smith] getting injured there was an opportunity for someone else to come in. Bails [George Bailey] obviously told me towards the start of the week and it’s been nice to have that early and prep and make sure I’m ready to go.”
Seldom do players make a hundred on debut and find themselves out of the team two matches later.
Josh Inglis after becoming Australian men’s Test player No.470.Credit: Getty Images
That was Inglis’ fate after a splendid century on a turning Galle pitch in late January.
Coming in at 3-401, Inglis cracked 102 from 94 balls to become the first Australian male to make a Test century on debut since Adam Voges against the West Indies in 2015.
Inglis made a duck in the second Test against Sri Lanka before playing white ball matches for Australia, featuring in the IPL, and then losing his spot in the team to Cam Green for the World Test Championship final earlier this month against South Africa.
Inglis, now Test player No.470, understands he’s viewed as a subcontinent specialist and is trying not to overthink the opportunity to displace Labuschagne.
Josh Inglis and Travis Head in Sri Lanka earlier this year.Credit: Getty Images
A couple of big scores could make him undroppable.
“I’m not really thinking too much about that,” Inglis said. “I think if you’re thinking like that, you’re probably going to come unstuck.
“I took a lot of confidence from it. Obviously on debut it’s nice to get a hundred but it’s only one game, so I’ve got to start again.
“With this side, we’ve almost got two separate sides for playing in the subcontinent and playing at home. I think it was just one of those things really.
“I haven’t had too much time to plan or train red ball cricket apart from obviously the WTC [final] a couple of weeks ago.”
Inglis, Australia’s white ball wicket-keeper, is likely to find himself at third slip this week, with Alex Carey once again taking the gloves. Beau Webster is poised to take Smith’s spot at second slip.
Smith remains a chance to return for the second Test in Grenada, which could again squeeze Inglis out, but selectors won’t rush him back.
Australia are expected to name their XI on Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST), with the possibility of both Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann playing if selectors opt for two spinners. That would leave one of Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc on the sidelines. Both had long bowls at training on Monday.
Cummins’ side will start as heavy favourites against a West Indies team lacking experience and batting depth.
The West Indies won their last Test against Australia in Brisbane early last year thanks to Shamar Joseph’s heroics with the ball. In the Caribbean, it has been a different story, with Australia last suffering defeat in 2003.
