Green drafted into Oz squad for WC

NEW DELHI: All-rounder Cameron Green has been drafted into the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup as a replacement for injured wicketkeeper Josh Inglis.

Inglis, 27, sustained a freak injury while playing golf, his six-iron snapping and cutting his hand open at the New South Wales Club in La Perouse.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved Cameron Green as a replacement for Josh Inglis in the Australia squad,” ICC said in a statement.

“Green, who has played seven T20Is, was named as a replacement after Inglis was ruled out due to an injury to his right hand that has required surgery.”

Inglis has played nine T20Is and two ODIs for Australia so far. He was the reserve gloveman in the squad. Green, a genuine all-rounder who can bat at any position and bowls medium-pace, was in red-hot form against New Zealand and India last month.

The 23-year-old, who made his T20I debut against Pakistan in Lahore in April, slammed two half-centuries at excellent strike rates during the series in India. In India, he was used an opener with great success.

So far, he has made 136 runs and taken five wickets in his seven T20Is.

“It’s not looking good for Josh,” said Australia head coach Andrew McDonald on Thursday morning. “We’ve got a bit of work to do and a bit of a problem to solve around our back-up keeper and also a back-up batter.”

“It’s damage to the palm of the hand which is less than ideal, in his right hand where he’d be gripping the bat and if he had to keep, the ball would be impacting that area.”

Defending champions Australia take on New Zealand in the tournament opener in Sydney on Saturday.