Inglis in doubt for South Africa Tests after fractured finger rules him out of ODIs

In his absence, Alex Carey will return to wicketkeeping role for the last two ODIs

Josh Inglis is in doubt for next month's Test series against South Africa after being ruled out of the final two ODIs with a fractured right index finger.

Inglis sustained the injury midway through Australia's fielding innings during the first ODI in Durban before making 3 where he fell reverse sweeping against Bjorn Fortuin. Inglis had finished the preceding series against Zimbabwe strongly with his second ODI hundred in the final match in Harare.

"The West Australian will return home for scans with his availability for the three-match Test series subject to further assessment and progress," a CA statement said.

Inglis' injury will mean a recall for Alex Carey in Johannesburg on Sunday and a return to the one-day wicketkeeping role. When he and Inglis have both played in recent times it is Inglis who has kept wicket with Carey in the outfield.RelatedAustralia could face a trial by spin... in South Africa

Inglis is also part of the Test squad as a spare batter and reserve wicketkeeper. He has played five Tests as a specialist batter which has seen him used in all positions from No. 4 to No. 7. He made a century on debut against Sri Lanka in early 2025 but hasn't passed 32 in his next six innings.

However, while Inglis has played as a batter so far in his Test career, should he not recover in time to rejoin the tour ahead of the Durban Test next month, Australia will need to consider flying in a replacement wicketkeeper. Otherwise they would be left without one should Carey suffer an injury. It is a risk they run for the second ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday but there won't be time to get someone to South Africa that quickly.Alex Carey will return to wicketkeeping duties in the last two ODIs against South Africa•AFP/Getty Images

Carey hasn't missed a Test since making his debut in the 2021-22 Ashes, bringing up his 50th appearance against Bangladesh in Mackay last month, although Inglis did take the gloves from him in Jamaica last year when Carey suffered a concussion on the second day.

In terms of potential reinforcements, Josh Philippe and Sam Harper are the wicketkeepers currently on the Australia A tour of India where the team has just completed the first four-day match. Philippe, who made 14 and 7 in Australia A's heavy defeat in the opening match, has been around the white-ball set-up over the last 12 months while Harper has emerged as a contender for higher hours after an impressive 2025-26 for Victoria where he had a significant impact as an opener in the Sheffield Shield.

However, should the selectors be willing to risk not having a specialist reserve gloveman - or even potentially opt to call-up two players - then that would open the door for Nathan McSweeney or potentially the experienced Peter Handscomb, who was the leading Shield run-scorer last season and is a capable wicketkeeper.

None of the Australia A players passed fifty in the four-day game with pace bowler Fergus O'Neill making their top score of the match with 47, followed by Jason Sangha's first-innings 46. The first-class domestic season is yet to start back in Australia with the first round of Sheffield Shield overlapping with the opening Test in South Africa.

Jake Weatherald was dropped after the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin and it is unlikely selectors would return to him so soon. He made 92 in the One-Day Cup last week.

The last time Australia called up a wicketkeeper beyond Carey or Inglis to the Test squad was when Jimmy Peirson joined the 2023 Ashes tour to cover for Inglis who flew home for the birth of his first child.