‘A Right-Handed Version of Warner’: Josh Inglis Entering the Opening Debate

Josh Inglis

Australia’s white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis should be considered as a potential Test opener against India, according to one of the country’s most esteemed mentors, New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd.

Shipperd suggested that Inglis could be a legitimate contender to open the batting in the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, even though it might cost his young NSW opening batter, Sam Konstas, the chance to make his Test debut.

Inglis, 29, is Australia’s current ODI and T20I wicketkeeper, having played 49 international matches. However, he has yet to make his Test debut, having served as Alex Carey’s understudy. Inglis has been in outstanding form in the Sheffield Shield, with scores of 122, 48, 101, and 26* in his first four innings this season. Despite his form, Inglis is unlikely to replace Carey as the wicketkeeper, as Carey himself has posted scores of 90, 111*, 42, and 123* in his own Shield innings after making an unbeaten 98 in his last Test match in March Josh Inglis.

A New Name in the Debate Josh Inglis

Following New South Wales’ loss to Victoria in a highly anticipated Sheffield Shield match at the MCG, where Konstas scored 2 and 43, while fellow Test hopeful Marcus Harris posted scores of 26 and 16, Shipperd introduced Inglis’ name into the conversation without being prompted.

“Let’s not forget Josh Inglis as well, who I think is probably a dark horse for the opening batting spot,” Shipperd said. “I’d have Inglis and Konstas in the conversation as one-two, two-one, and let the Australian selectors decide between them. His performances for Australia have been first-class, and I think they’re looking for a particular style of player at the top of the order, and Inglis may fit that mold. He’s a right-handed version of David Warner, in terms of his intent to keep the game moving, with strokes all around the wicket. He’s played at the international level and is a well-respected player.”

Shipperd’s opinions are highly regarded within Australian cricket, and he has been a mentor to current coach and selector Andrew McDonald. However, Inglis has never opened the batting in first-class cricket. His seven first-class centuries, including his two this season, have come from positions No. 6 or lower. He has only batted at No. 3 six times, averaging 12.66, and has struggled in other higher positions. In limited-overs cricket, he has opened for Australia six times, recording one half-century, and his two T20I centuries have come at No. 3.

Backing from WA Captain

Inglis’ state captain, Sam Whiteman, also endorsed his inclusion in the selection conversation. “If you’re looking to pick guys based on form, absolutely he should be considered,” Whiteman said. “He’s seeing the ball as well as anyone in the country. He’s so versatile, the way he transitions from white ball to red ball. He just looks in great form. I’m all for him playing for Australia in some capacity, absolutely.”

India National Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline

Konstas’ Progress and Potential

While Shipperd backed Inglis, he still believes that Konstas should be considered Josh Inglis, despite a challenging match at the MCG. Konstas was given out lbw in the first innings under controversial circumstances and made a patchy 43 in the second, including one life and a loose dismissal against off-spinner Todd Murphy.

“I thought he was unlucky in the first innings,” Shipperd said, “and in the second innings, he started to show what he’s capable of. Anytime you survive the first 25 overs of a Victorian new-ball attack, you’ve got something, even though he made a poor judgment on one ball. He showed he should be part of the conversation.”

Shipperd added that Konstas is handling the growing media attention well, remaining relaxed and focused on improving his game.

“He’s really relaxed, focusing on learning and understanding his game,” Shipperd said. “He made a few strange decisions in this innings, but he’s reflecting on those and improving. We’re confident he has what it takes, if selected. The next few matches for the Australian A team will probably tell us more about what the selectors will do.”

Shipperd is in a unique position to assess Konstas, having previously compared him to a young Ricky Ponting. Shipperd coached Ponting in Tasmania in 1993 when the future Australian legend made twin centuries in a Shield game at age 18. Two weeks ago, Konstas became the third-youngest player, behind Ponting, to achieve the same feat.

The Ponting Parallel

Ponting had to wait two and a half years between scoring his twin centuries and making his Test debut, and Shipperd was asked whether Konstas should be given more time to mature in domestic cricket, as Ponting was.

“I’m not sure. That’s a good question,” Shipperd replied. “Yes, Ponting was made to wait, but whether that helped him or not, I don’t know. He kept scoring hundreds while waiting. Sam has similar skills, poise at the crease, and a wide array of shots. I think he’s ready. Ponting had to break into a very strong Australian side, but there’s an opening in the current team where Sam could fit in.”

Harris’ Frustration

Victoria coach Chris Rogers noted that Marcus Harris would be disappointed with his scores against NSW, but he still believes Harris is batting well enough to remain in the selection mix.

“I think he’ll be frustrated with his results,” Rogers said. “Facing Mitch Starc Josh Inglis, there’s always a chance of getting out. He’s world-class lisalavoie.com. Harris got caught down the leg side twice, which can happen. He’ll be disappointed, but he fought hard and looked good, even though he didn’t have much luck.”