Australia’s Josh Inglis has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup because of a freak hand injury suffered while playing golf.
Australian hierarchy will soon meet to select a replacement, with allrounder Cameron Green in the frame.
But Australia coach Andrew McDonald says selectors could opt for a reserve wicketkeeper such as Alex Carey, Ben McDermott or Josh Philippe to replace Inglis, who was the spare gloveman in the 15-man squad.
“We have got a bit of a problem to solve this morning around our back-up ‘keeper and also a back-up batter,” McDonald told SEN radio.
“We have got to work out what a squad would like going into a World Cup without a back-up ‘keeper and the scenario if Matthew Wade were to get injured on the morning of a game.
“What would you do there if you didn’t have a resource in the group that was a stand-out ‘keeper?.”
McDonald said summoning Green was “definitely a discussion point” along with wicketkeeper-batsmen such as Philippe, Carey and McDermott.
“There’s a few people to discuss,” he said.
“But we have just got to get our heads around what the scenario would like without a back-up ‘keeper.
“If we feel as though there’s too much risk we might head down that line of choosing one of those wicketkeepers.”
Inglis’s right hand was cut when the shaft of a golf club – a six-iron when playing a par three at the New South Wales Golf Club on Wednesday – snapped.
“An incredibly freak accident,” McDonald said.
“As he made contact with the ground, the shaft snapped around the grip area and cut into his hand palm of his right hand.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have suffered a big double blow with paceman Dushmantha Chameera and batsman Danushka Gunathilaka out of the tournament because of injury.
Their withdrawals were announced ahead of Thursday’s final qualifier against the Netherlands, which they must win to have a chance of progressing to the Super 12 stage.
Chameera tore through the UAE top order in Tuesday night’s win with three wickets, but he pulled up as he ran in to bowl later in the innings.
He immediately hobbled off the field and is out with a torn left calf muscle, tournament organisers have announced.
Kasun Rajitha, who is in Sri Lanka, is his replacement.
Chameera also missed last month’s Asia Cup win because of injury.
Gunathilaka sat out the UAE game and he is out of the World Cup because of a left hamstring tear, with travelling reserve Ashen Bandara taking his place.
Sri Lanka’s massive upset loss to Namibia means they are third in the Group A standings, with only the top two progressing.
Even if Sri Lanka beat the Dutch, second-placed Namibia have a much better net run-rate and they play the UAE later on Thursday night to decide the final standings.
Cup organisers have also confirmed that Zawar Farid (left foot fracture) will be replaced by travelling reserve Fahad Nawaz.
England’s Reece Topley has a left ankle injury and Tymal Mills, who is in Australia, will take his place.
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