Australia Names T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour, Inglis Ruled Out with Calf Injury

Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will miss the T20I series against New Zealand due to a calf injury. Alex Carey has been called up as his replacement and will keep wickets in the three-match series starting October 1 in Mount Maunganui.

Inglis injured his calf during a running session in Perth earlier this week, and scans confirmed the strain. This is his second calf injury in less than a year, the first being during the Boxing Day Test against India last December. His absence adds to Australia’s injury list, which already includes Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, and Nathan Ellis.

Australia’s selectors did not include a backup wicketkeeper in the original 14-player T20I squad. Inglis’ injury meant they had to find a replacement quickly. Alex Carey, who was set to play South Australia’s Sheffield Shield opener on October 4, has now been called back into the national team.

Inglis, a key player in Australia’s white-ball squad with two T20I centuries at No. 3, was expected to strengthen the middle order, linking Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head with hitters like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David. He has been dealing with recurring back spasms, which affected his preparation, but is expected to recover in time for the ODI series against India starting October 19 in Perth.

Carey last played as wicketkeeper in this format in 2020 but returned to cover for Inglis during the South Africa series in August. While his batting is solid, his recent ODI performances, including a crucial half-century against India in the Champions Trophy, have strengthened his case for selection.

Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa