Josh Inglis is set to link up with the Australia Test squad ahead of the second match against South Africa in Gqeberha, scheduled for October 18-22, 2026, as his recovery from a fractured finger continues to move in the right direction. The wicketkeeper-batter picked up the injury during the first ODI in Durban in late September 2026 and was ruled out of the remaining matches in the one-day series.
A recent scan returned encouraging results and Inglis has been cleared of the need for surgery. His availability for selection in the Gqeberha Test will still depend on how the finger holds up in the days immediately before the match. Notably, all five of his Test appearances to date have been as a specialist batter rather than behind the stumps.
To cover for his absence, Australia made two additions to their touring party. Harper was drafted in from the Australia A assignment in India to fill the backup wicketkeeping role, while Nic Maddinson was recalled to bolster the batting resources. The first Test in Durban ran from October 9-13, 2026.
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How did Australia cope with Inglis missing the first Test in Durban?
Without Inglis available for the series opener, Australia reorganised their batting order and leaned on both cover players. Maddinson, returning to first-class cricket for the first time since March 2025, was handed the opening slot for that match.
He fell for a 33-ball duck, a dismissal that stands as the longest duck recorded by an Australian opener in Test cricket. Matt Renshaw was shifted to No. 5 and proved crucial in steadying the innings on two separate occasions, helping Australia recover from 84 for 4 and again from 124 for 6.
“It really turned into two players replacing Josh Inglis. If you looked at it like that, it wasn’t [just] another batter coming in. We had sort of flexibility with Josh and then Harper obviously takes the back-up glove role and then you’ve got where we got to with Nic,” head coach Andrew McDonald said as quoted by Cricinfo.
What is the latest on Cameron Green’s fitness ahead of the Gqeberha Test?
Australia’s injury situation extends beyond Inglis. Cameron Green was ruled out of the Durban Test after sustaining an abdominal injury during the final ODI in Potchefstroom, and questions remain over whether he will be available for the second match.
Head coach Andrew McDonald indicated that Green was unlikely to feature as an allrounder across the full length of the series. Maddinson’s continued presence in the squad therefore serves a dual purpose, providing batting cover should Green’s return be delayed further into the tour.
