Punjab Kings Star Replaces Former Delhi Capitals Player in Australia Playing XI for AUS vs SA 3rd T20I
Punjab Kings (PBKS) wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has returned to Australia’s playing XI for the third T20I against South Africa in Cairns. The flu forced him to miss the previous fixture, but he has recovered and will don the gloves again in this must-win encounter.
Inglis played the first T20I in Darwin but couldn’t make a significant impact with the willow, for he was dismissed on a golden duck by George Linde in the third over. However, he is still Australia’s best bet in this department and rightly returns in the XI after being fit.
Inglis has 172 runs at an average of 34.40 and a strike rate of 207.22 in six T20I innings this year, including two fifties and a best of 78*. He has been highly consistent and sealed the No.3 spot with his blistering performances, as he fit in Australia’s newly-found gung-ho approach.
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At No.3, Inglis has 542 runs at a solid average of 36.13 and a 178.87 strike rate in 16 T20I innings, comprising two fifties and as many centuries. In his absence in the second T20I, Cameron Green, who usually bats at No.4, was promoted to No.3, but the move didn’t work, as Green was dismissed cheaply.
Josh Inglis replaces Alex Carey in Australia’s playing XI
Alex Carey filled in for an unwell Josh Inglis in the second T20I in Darwin, but he has to sit out again for the final T20I of the series. It was his first T20I in four years since Australia tried other players and found ample success with the likes of Matthew Wade and Josh Inglis.
Carey did a fine job with the willow on his return, scoring 26 runs in 18 deliveries, including three boundaries, at a strike rate of 144.44. He also effected a stumping and a run-out with the gloves behind the stumps.
He might feel unfortunate to sit out despite performing reasonably well, but Australia have made the right choice. Inglis has been a better T20 player and done nothing wrong to get dropped, even if Carey shone on his T20I return.
Carey will get his chances in future in this format, but for now, Inglis must get an extended run and play in the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. This Australian team is built perfectly for a player like Inglis, who has been among the most improved batters recently.
Australia playing XI for 3rd T20I vs South Africa
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Josh Inglis(w), Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
