Josh Inglis Fractures Finger, Ruled Out of ODI Series Against South Africa

Johannesburg, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis has suffered a fracture in his right index finger, forcing him to withdraw from the remaining ODI series against South Africa. The 31-year-old is now aiming to regain fitness ahead of a three-match Test series against the same opponents next month.

Inglis sustained the injury while keeping wickets during the first ODI in Durban on Thursday, where Australia lost by 67 runs. Despite the pain, he batted at number six but managed to score only three runs.

Cricket Australia announced on Saturday that the Western Australian player will return home for scans, and his availability for the Test series will depend on further assessment and recovery progress.

With Inglis out, Alex Carey is expected to resume wicketkeeping duties for the second ODI at Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. Although both players have recently featured together in the white-ball team, Inglis had been the wicketkeeper while Carey played as a specialist fielder.

This setback poses a strategic challenge for Australia ahead of the Test series. Inglis is a key backup batsman and second wicketkeeper in the red-ball setup. He has played five Tests since making his debut against Sri Lanka in early 2025, where he scored a century.

If Inglis is unable to return in time for the tour, selectors may need to call up another player to ensure Carey does not have to shoulder the wicketkeeping responsibilities alone during the three-Test series. However, no immediate replacement will be sought for the final two ODIs in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.