Josh Inglis, the backup wicketkeeper for Australia, had a freak accident while playing golf and will not compete in the T20 World Cup in 2022. The wicketkeeper-batter was declared unfit for the huge event just a few days before the commencement of the competition after a golf club snapped his hand and caused a gash. This left the Australian team in a terrible situation.
However, Inglis was not expected to participate in a World Cup match anytime soon given Australia’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter is Matthew Wade. However, the reigning champions will now need to find a substitute for Inglis so that Wade has a back-up option in case anything unexpected happens during the tournament. When the 27-year-old was rushed to the hospital for treatment, a hand specialist said that because there had been no tendon injury, his recuperation would probably take weeks rather than months. The selectors would be forced to find a replacement as he would be out for nearly the whole group stage of the competition, even if it took two weeks.
Barring a new injury, Inglis is not allowed to rejoin the 15-player team per International Cricket Council rules after being replaced. Despite not being the top choice, his broad variety of skills made him a useful back-up choice. Cameron Green may be selected based solely on talent and promise, despite the fact that he has recently excelled as an opener but has seen little experience later in the order. Now the Australians must choose which of those is most important. Green has been the front-runner out of all the possibilities after head coach Andrew McDonald stated that he was “certainly a discussion point.”
If Australia moves forward without naming a backup option or names a player as Inglis’ successor, it will be announced soon, according to an official statement from the management that is still pending. Australia will begin its T20 World Cup 2022 campaign on October 22 when they take on New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the opening match of the Super 12 stage (SCG).
