In that, albeit unlikely, scenario the job would probably go to David Warner who previously kept with during a Test against Pakistan in 2014 although captain Aaron Finch has previously done it briefly in the BBL. Coach Andrew McDonald even floated Mitchell Starc as an option.
Australia have previously gone into World Cups without another frontline keeper, including the 2015 ODI event on home soil where Brad Haddin was the only option
“If you look back over World Cup squad selections there have been plenty of times where Australia have gone in with only one front-line keeper in the squad,” McDonald said. “And that is to give greater flexibility to batting and bowling structures in the team. It’s a conversation about how we want to give ourselves the most options, rather than potentially covering the small risk that is there.”
Inglis was assessed in hospital yesterday after his right hand was cut when a golf club snapped and although the timeline for the recovery is not long – and there is no tendon damage – he will now miss the tournament.
The selectors spent the day weighing up their options for a replacement which also included a like-for-like in Alex Carey, Josh Philippe or Ben McDermott, alongside a call-up for pace bowler Nathan Ellis, but in the end opted for Green who had been part of the squad in the lead-up to the tournament.
Green impressed on the tour of India with two rapid half-centuries opening the batting but did not enjoy the same success against West Indies or England.
Before his call-up was rubberstamped, McDonald confirmed that Green would not come straight into the XI.
“Does it create a headache if we have him in? No, it probably just gives us more options,” he told reporters at the SCG. “If Cameron Green was considered in the starting XI before the tournament started then he would have been in the 15 and he’s not, so if he was to come in there’s no way, unless there’s another injury, that he would come into the starting XI .”
Inglis, who has played nine T20Is, was unlikely to feature in Australia’s starting XI during the tournament unless there was an injury to Wade, or a concussion substitute is required.
He was also part of the squad for the previous Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. However, he featured in just three of Australia’s games leading into this tournament; two matches on the tour of India and then the warm-up game against the same opponents at the Gabba on Monday.
“The whole group is flat,” McDonald said. “Even though he hasn’t played a lot of cricket he’s an important member of the squad, was part of the last World Cup campaign as well. He’s obviously gutted, it’s a tight knit group and any time something like this happens you feel for that person.”
Inglis has made a good impression in his limited opportunities, with a strike rate of 141.02 from his inventive batting. He is seen as the natural successor to Wade whenever he retires.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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