Josh Inglis ruled out of New Zealand T20Is; Alex Carey called up

Australia have lost wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for the three-match T20I series in New Zealand after he suffered a right calf strain during a running session in Perth. Scans confirmed the injury, ruling him out of all three games at Mount Maunganui on October 1, 3 and 4, and Alex Carey has been called in as his replacement. Inglis is expected to be fit in time for the ODI series against India starting October 19 in Perth.

What happened

Inglis pulled up sore in training on Tuesday and a scan on Wednesday confirmed the strain, ending his short tour before it began. This is his second calf issue in nine months after a low-grade strain during the Boxing Day Test against India last December that cut short his BBL season ahead of his Test debut in January. He has also been managing back spasms this year, which have limited his time in the nets.

Why Inglis’ absence matters

Inglis has become a key T20 batter for Australia, with two T20I hundreds at No. 3 and the ability to score all around the wicket. He links the top order of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head with the middle-order firepower of Glenn Maxwell and Tim David. Replacing that role is not simple. With the squad built for aggressive batting, the replacement keeper is likely to bat lower, around No. 7.

Carey steps in

Carey was not in the original 14-man squad and was due to play Sheffield Shield for South Australia on October 4. He now joins the national side and will take the gloves. Carey recently filled in for Inglis in Cairns against South Africa and, while his T20 record is modest, his keeping is trusted and his ODI finishing form over the past year has been strong.

Selection headaches for Australia

Inglis is the fourth first-choice player unavailable for this tour after captain Pat Cummins (lumbar bone stress) was withdrawn, Cameron Green stayed back to play Sheffield Shield for his Ashes build-up, and Nathan Ellis stepped aside due to the impending birth of his first child. Australia did not name a back-up keeper in the initial squad, so Inglis’ injury forced a late change and squeezes Carey’s red-ball preparation.

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.

Series schedule

What to expect now

Australia may adjust the batting order, with Matt Short back from injury and a chance to bat at No. 3, while Marcus Stoinis returns to bolster the middle. Carey likely keeps and bats lower in a power-packed line-up that still leans on Tim David, Mitchell Owen, and Maxwell for late hitting. The goal will be to keep the attack-minded approach while managing the change behind the stumps.