Australia have suffered an injury scare two days out from their opening T20 World Cup match after back-up wicketkeeper Josh Inglis suffered a cut right hand in a golfing accident in Sydney.
The incident was first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, and a team spokesperson confirmed that Inglis was being assessed in hospital on Wednesday afternoon after a golf club snapped in his hand.
Inglis, who has played nine T20Is, is unlikely to feature in Australia’s starting XI during the tournament unless there is an injury to first-choice wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, or a concussion substitute was required. If the injury proves serious Australia would be able to replace Inglis in their 15-player squad with ICC approval but he would not be able to return.
Inglis was also part of the squad for the previous T20 World Cup in the UAE. However, he featured in just three of Australia’s games leading into this tournament; two matches on the tour of India and then the warm-up game against same opponents at the Gabba on Monday.
He has made a good impression in his limited opportunities, with a strike rate of 141.02 from his inventive batting. He is viewed as the natural successor to Wade whenever he retires.
England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the tournament when he suffered a badly broken ankle caused by slipping on a tee box on the day the squad was announced.