Inglis Smashes Rapid Century as Australia’s Batting-Order Debate Intensifies

Josh Inglis has thrust his name firmly back into Australia’s Test selection frame after blasting a rapid unbeaten century for a Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions, adding fresh intrigue to ongoing discussions over the national team’s batting order for the remainder of the Ashes.

With Travis Head’s sensational century as a stand-in opener in Perth sparking debate about whether he should permanently move to the top, speculation has grown around the futures of both the top order and middle order—particularly with Usman Khawaja battling back spasms. While indications remain that Khawaja will play at the Gabba if fit, any vacancy could open the door for Inglis, whose versatility makes him an appealing option.

Inglis was part of Australia’s squad for the first Test but was released to play at Lilac Hill after a disrupted lead-up, including a calf injury that ruled him out of the India ODIs and a lean T20I series. His Sheffield Shield return for Western Australia brought scores of 4 and 28, but on Monday he produced a commanding reminder of his capabilities.

He smashed an unbeaten 125 off 107 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes, as the CA XI chased down 232 inside 45 overs—a performance reminiscent of Head’s aggressive match-winning knock in Perth two days earlier.

Inglis has already shown he can adapt to red-ball roles, scoring a century on Test debut in Galle as a specialist middle-order batter and later filling in at No. 4 when Steven Smith missed a Test against West Indies.

Should Khawaja fail to recover in time for Brisbane, or should selectors opt for a structural shift, Beau Webster may also come under consideration after narrowly missing out on the first Test when Cameron Green returned to No. 6. Mitchell Marsh remains another option, with the allrounder set to return to Sheffield Shield action for Western Australia in early December.

The CA XI field was largely developmental due to concurrent Shield fixtures, though Jhye Richardson featured as he continues his comeback from shoulder surgery. He bowled 20 wicketless overs but remains in contention for later in the series and is expected to play for Australia A during the Gabba Test.

The England Lions side included members of the senior Test squad—Matthew Potts, Will Jacks, and Jacob Bethell—providing a competitive platform for selectors on both sides as the Ashes narrative continues to evolve.