Cricket 2025: Josh Inglis is ‘Australia's next Test captain', but he isn't in the team
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All eyes are on the World Test Championship (WTC) Final right now but Australia's Test team could look quite different when the squad heads to the West Indies later this month.
Australia are aiming to win back-to-back WTC maces with victory in the final at Lord's against South Africa, which is set to be a quick match after 14 wickets fell on Day 1 as Steve Smith made history.
Watch England vs India Test Series LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
The Aussies are boasting renewed depth in their Test squad, with Sam Konstas, Scott Boland and Josh Inglis unlucky to miss out on the WTC final given their strong recent form for the national side.
Respected cricket commentator Adam Collins told SEN's Cricket podcast ahead of the WTC Final he believes Inglis will be Australia's next Test captain despite the fact he is currently not in the team.
'I've got to say for the record, I'm a huge Inglis guy,' Collins said.
'I think Josh Inglis will be Australia's next Test captain. I think, over time, there will be a case for him to be invested in across the board.'
It's a bold call by Collins given the likes of Travis Head (age 31), Alex Carey (33) and Cameron Green (26) have been mentioned as future Test captains.
Pat Cummins has captained Australia since the 2021-22 Ashes and the 32-year-old fast bowler has signalled he has no plans to give up the captaincy anytime soon as he continues to win trophies.
Is Josh Inglis (left) Australia's next Test captain? (Photo by)
Inglis was born in the UK but moved to Australia when he was 14, going on to win domestic titles in all three formats with Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers.
He was part of the Australian squads that won the 2021 T20 World Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship Final.
Inglis, 30, already belongs to an exclusive club of just five Australian players who have scored Test, ODI and T20I centuries — along with Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Beth Mooney.
His rapid fire century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year reinforced his credentials as a red ball player, as a wicketkeeper or batter only, after strong form in the Sheffield Shield.
But with Alex Carey's near impeccable form with the gloves and the bat in recent years, it remains to be seen how Inglis fits into the Australian team, given the emergence of Beau Webster and Cam Green's return from injury.
Inglis, Konstas and Boland are likely to feature in Australia's tour of the West Indies that begins later this month, featuring three Tests and five T20s.
Australia's Josh Inglis celebrates after scoring his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)
The trio were overlooked for the WTC Final but Cummins has strongly hinted they will have a role to play against the West Indies, which serves as a key audition ahead of this summer's home Ashes.
Collins added: 'Round 1 of the next cycle in the Windies, I'd be almost certain Konstas plays, but this is a bit different being a one-off final.'
Pressure is mounting on Marnus Labuschagne's spot in the XI, with Konstas set to take his spot at the top of the order in the West Indies.
The three-Test series, plus all five T20 Internationals, will be broadcast live on ESPN from June 26 to July 29. ESPN is available to all Kayo Sports subscribers as part of their existing subscription.
Australia has not visited the Caribbean for a Test series in 10 years, while the last edition of the Frank Worrell Trophy in 2023-24 was drawn 1-1.
The latest renewal of this historic rivalry begins in Barbados with the first Test from June 26-30, followed by the second Test in Grenada from July 4-8 and a day-night Test in Jamaica from July 13-17.
Sam Konstas will get his chance to play in the West Indies. (Photo by)
The series will be Australia's final Test match preparations before a massive home Ashes series this summer, broadcast on Kayo Sports.
Following the Frank Worrell Trophy, the two nations will face off in five T20Is from July 21-29.
The series will form a crucial part of both sides' preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
WEST INDIES V AUSTRALIA Every ball LIVE on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports.
Frank Worrell Trophy
First Test, Barbados: June 26-30, 12:00am AEST
Second Test, Grenada: July 4-8, 12:00am AEST
Third Test, Jamaica: July 13-17, 4:30am AEST
T20 International Series
First T20I, Jamaica: July 21, 10:00am AEST
Second T20I, Jamaica: July 23, 10:00am AEST
Third T20I, St Kitts and Nevis: July 26, 8:00am AEST
Fourth T20I, St Kitts and Nevis: July 27, 8:00am AEST
Fifth T20I, St Kitts and Nevis: July 29, 8:00am AEST
Australia's tour of the West Indies, live on ESPN, is also available on Foxtel.
Originally published as Smokey for 'Australia's next Test captain' named, but he isn't in the team
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