Australia has been forced to make at least one change for Sunday’s second ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg (starting at 6pm AEST) with wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis sent home with a fractured finger. Live updates below!
Inglis sustained the injury during Australia’s 67-run loss in the series opener in Durban on Thursday and it now puts his place in the squad for next month’s three-Test series against the Proteas in doubt.
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“There was potentially an opportunity there for him to get into the Test team as a batter,” Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa said of his teammate, who scored his second ODI century against Zimbabwe earlier this year, on the eve of the second ODI.
“With this injury, I think he’s disappointed that opportunity might not come now. But I don’t think the break is really bad – it doesn’t require surgery or anything like that. He’s headed home now. He’ll be doing some rehab for a little while, and I think they’ll test it out in the next little while.
“He was flat – obviously another opportunity gone. We really need him in this (ODI) team. Obviously with those other opportunities potentially coming up for him, hopefully he can get a bit of time at home, get the rehab in and it heals quickly.”
Australia’s wicketkeeper Josh Inglis catches the ball during the first one day international cricket match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)Source: AP
SA v AUS: 1st ODI Full Match Highlights | 15:40
Inglis’ absence means Test keeper Alex Carey will take the gloves in the 50-over format for the time since a one-off outing in Sri Lanka in February last year.
The West Australian’s misfortunes also offers Carey a reprieve after the South Australian – who had been playing as a batter – was dropped for the first ODI to make way for the returning Cameron Green in the middle order.
Meanwhile, there is uncertainty about which combination of fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood play at the Wanderers – where 20 years ago South Africa famously chased down Australia’s world record total of 434.
The latter two featured in the series opener, while Cummins has not played an ODI in almost two years and may play without taking the captaincy duties – instead leaving Mitch Marsh in charge.
Australia must win to keep the three-game series alive as the hosts have the chance to claim a sixth straight ODI series victory against their rivals.
Greatest ODI: AUS vs SA ’06 Highlights | 14:43