Can Voges Trust Inglis to Shine at No. 4 for Australia in Windies Tests?

Melbourne, June 20 (NationPress) Former Australia batsman Adam Voges expressed confidence in Josh Inglis to take on the No.4 batting position in Australia’s newly structured top order for the forthcoming first Test against the West Indies. The coach of Western Australia (WA) is convinced that the wicketkeeper-batter can excel in the top four at the Test level, despite his limited first-class experience in those roles.

Inglis has been confirmed as a starter for the opening Test in Barbados next Wednesday after Cricket Australia made the rare decision to announce Marnus Labuschagne's exclusion five days prior to the match. Additionally, Steven Smith will also miss this match due to injury.

Inglis and Sam Konstas have been named as direct replacements, although the final batting order and XI have not yet been finalized. Konstas is anticipated to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja, as selectors aim to establish a stable opening pair for the tour and the upcoming Ashes series, following 12 Tests with five different combinations.

With Smith expected to return for the second Test in Grenada, it’s probable that Cameron Green will remain at No.3 despite recent struggles in the World Test Championship final. This scenario could allow Inglis to step into the No.4 spot to minimize disruption when Smith returns, while Travis Head is firmly positioned at No.5.

“As a wicketkeeper, you usually bat lower down the order. We had previously experimented with Josh batting at three while keeping wickets, which is challenging,” Voges stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“We tried that because we believed he has the technical skills to fill that role effectively. I think without the responsibility of wicketkeeping, he can thrive. Looking ahead to what the Test team will look like during an Ashes summer, I see these three Tests as an excellent opportunity for several players, including Josh in that position,” he added.

At 30, Inglis is among the top-performing players worldwide across formats this year. He made a century on his Test debut in Sri Lanka at No.5 - his first hundred at that position in first-class cricket, having only previously achieved one fifty in five innings there.

His experience at No.3 and No.4 is even more modest: he averaged 12.66 from six innings at No.3 for WA in 2019 and batted just once at No.4, scoring 44 back in 2015. His strongest position remains No.6, where he boasts an average of over 50 and has scored four first-class centuries, all while serving as WA’s designated wicketkeeper.