Greg Shipperd Pitches Josh Inglis Name to Feature In Australia's Opening Slot Against India

October 23, 2024: As Australia gears up for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against India, Greg Shipperd, the highly regarded coach of New South Wales, has put forward Josh Inglis as a potential successor to David Warner in the Test batting lineup.

With Warner stepping back from Test cricket, and Steven Smith shifting from the opening slot to the middle order, there’s a pressing need for a new opener to partner Usman Khawaja.

Shipperd believes that Inglis could be an ideal fit for the opening role due to his aggressive batting style, likening him to Warner. “His performances for Australia have been first-class, and I think they're looking for a style of player at the top of the order, and Inglis may fit that brief,” Shipperd noted. He emphasized Inglis's ability to play aggressively and his versatility, stating, “He’s a right-handed version of David Warner in terms of someone who wants to get on with the play, and he’s got strokes all around the wicket.”

While Inglis has had a solid run in Australia's white-ball setups, accumulating 49 international appearances across ODIs and T20Is, he has yet to debut in Test cricket, primarily serving as an understudy to Alex Carey. His potential inclusion in the Test squad has been echoed by his state captain, Sam Whiteman, who praised Inglis's current form and adaptability. Whiteman remarked, "If you're looking to pick guys off form…absolutely [should be considered]. He just looks in great nick. I'm all for him playing for Australia in some capacity."

With the BGT starting on November 22 in Perth, the Australian selectors are under pressure to identify a long-term solution for the opening position, making Inglis a name to watch as the team looks to solidify its batting order in the absence of Warner.