Inglis was released from the Test squad and officially ruled out of the Sydney Test, although he was unlikely to play barring injury. But he is expected to be fit for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, where he is a clear chance to make his Test debut as a specialist batsman in Galle, given his prowess against spin.
But the injury is a blow for the Perth Scorchers. He was allowed to play two of Scorchers’ first four matches against Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades as matches fell between the third and fourth Tests. But he will only have 22 days to recover from the calf strain before Australia’s Test team leaves for the United Arab Emirates for a pre-tour camp ahead of the first Test starting in Galle on January 29.
Jhye Richardson also remains with the team alongside Abbott as fast bowling cover. There were some concerns about Mitchell Starc on Saturday after he received some on-field treatment for back pain. But Starc told SEN on the morning of the fourth day that he was fine to bowl even though he was not called before Australia took the last wicket of India’s first innings.
