Adam Voges Supports Josh Inglis for No. 4 Spot in Australia's Test Lineup
Inglis Set for Key Role in Upcoming Test
Melbourne, June 20: Former Australian cricketer Adam Voges has expressed his confidence in Josh Inglis to take on the No. 4 batting position in Australia’s revamped lineup for the first Test against the West Indies. Voges, who is the coach for Western Australia, believes that Inglis possesses the skills necessary to excel in the top four, despite having limited experience in first-class cricket at that level.
Inglis has been confirmed as a key player for the opening Test scheduled in Barbados next Wednesday. This announcement comes after Cricket Australia made the unusual decision to reveal Marnus Labuschagne's exclusion five days prior to the match. Additionally, Steven Smith will be absent due to an injury.
Alongside Inglis, Sam Konstas has been named as a direct replacement, although the final team composition and batting order have yet to be finalized. It is anticipated that Konstas will open the batting with Usman Khawaja, as selectors aim to create a consistent opening partnership for both the West Indies series and the Ashes, following a challenging period of 12 Tests with five different opening combinations.
With Smith likely to return for the second Test in Grenada, Cameron Green is expected to remain at No. 3, despite some struggles during the World Test Championship final. This arrangement could allow Inglis to step into the No. 4 position, minimizing disruption when Smith rejoins the team, while Travis Head is expected to hold the No. 5 spot.
Voges commented, "Typically, wicketkeepers bat lower in the order. We experimented with Josh batting higher a few years back, and while it’s a challenging role, we believe he has the technical ability to succeed. Without the added responsibility of wicketkeeping, I think he can manage this role effectively. These three Tests present a valuable opportunity for several players, including Josh, to showcase their capabilities in this position," as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
At 30 years old, Inglis is currently one of the most prolific players across all formats this year. He made a remarkable debut in Test cricket with a century in Sri Lanka, batting at No. 5—his first hundred at that position in first-class cricket, having previously recorded only one fifty in five innings there.
His experience batting at No. 3 and No. 4 is quite limited; he averaged just 12.66 from six innings at No. 3 for WA in 2019 and has only batted once at No. 4, scoring 44 back in 2015. His most successful position remains No. 6, where he boasts an average exceeding 50 and has achieved four first-class centuries, all while serving as WA’s primary wicketkeeper.