T20 World Cup: Cameron Green replaces Inglis in Australia squad
Australia have suffered a major blow as Josh Inglis has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The wicketkeeper-batter suffered a freak injury while playing golf in Sydney on Wednesday (October 19). Inglis sustained a cut on his right hand, and was subsequently taken to the hospital. In-form all-rounder Cameron Green has been named his replacement.
Why does this story matter?
Australia, the defending champions and hosts of the tournament, will kick-start their campaign against neighbors New Zealand on October 22. Inglis was selected as a back-up wicket-keeper to Matthew Wade in the squad. Instead of calling up another keeper, Cricket Australia have gone with Green, who has been in sublime touch lately. He scored a couple of fiery T20I half-centuries against India last month.
What did the Australia head coach say?
Andrew McDonald, Australia's head coach, highlighted how Australia didn't have any back-up keeper in several events. "If you look back over World Cup selections there's been plenty of times where Australia have gone with one keeper," McDonald told Cricket.com.au. Brad Haddin, Peter Nevill, and Alex Carey were the lone keepers in the squad in the 2015 WC, 2016 T20 WC, and 2019 WC respectively.
Will Cameron Green be drafted to the XI?
Although Green has been in astonishing form lately, McDonald had confirmed he would not come straight into the XI. "Does it (Green's selection) create a headache? No, it probably just gives us more options," he told reporters. "If Green was considered in the starting XI, he would have been in the 15." Hence, the young all-round would need to wait for his chances.
How Inglis has fared in T20Is?
Making his international debut this year, Inglis has scored 220 runs in nine T20Is so far. His average and strike rate read 27.5 and, 141.02 respectively in the format. Overall in T20 cricket, Inglis has 2,005 runs in 81 games. He has 12 fifties alongside a couple of hundreds under his belt. Notably, Inglis was unlikely to make Australia's initial XI in the tournament.
Cameron Green's numbers in T20I cricket
Green, who debuted in T20Is earlier this year, has played seven games so far. He has scored 136 runs at an average and a strike rate of 19.42 and 174.35, respectively. Green scored two fifties as an opener against India, which prompted several fans and experts to bat for his selection. Green, who is also a handy pacer, has five wickets under his belt.
Australia's squad for the tournament
Australia's squad for T20 World Cup: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
