Roar Rookie
Opinion
Josh Inglis’ quick rise of form throughout the first-class Sheffield Shield campaign had selectors questioning if he would be a likely new replacement for Tim Paine, Australia’s most recent Test wicketkeeper and Test captain.
Throughout the Sheffield Shield 2020-21 campaign, Inglis made 585 runs including his three first-class hundreds.
With this consistent form, he made 400 runs in the following Big Bash season for the Perth Scorchers.
Inglis’ flexibility to be moved from the top of the batting order to the middle was also taken into account by selectors.
Inglis was given his first chance to be with the Aussie squad during the most recent T20 World Cup, which was held in the UAE, despite not being part of any previous series with the squad.
The most recent cricket news had reported that Alex Carey had been named the new Australian Test wicketkeeper and is expected to make his debut in the Ashes, which will begin on December 8.
Carey had already been with the Australian team since 2017-18, being their go-to keeper in the Aussie ODI and T20 squad.
That is despite missing out on the T20 World Cup as he was replaced by Matthew Wade.
Potentially Carey has been selected due to his experience. Don’t forget that he has been vice-captain for the ODI side before.
His most recent performance for South Australia would have definitely helped as he made another first-class ton.
And that could have been enough for the selectors to lock him in.
Both Inglis and Carey are two very capable batsmen, which we know Australia has been searching for.
For a long time either of these players had a very great chance of being selected in the Ashes squad, which left both fans and selectors conflicted with who they really want.
But either choice in my eyes should work out, as both players show very similar signs of playing styles.
And they have left most of Australia looking forward to how things will go in this next hyped Ashes series.