Inglis kept England and Root at bay. His next move could seal Khawaja’s fate

3 months ago 6

One moment of Josh Inglis brilliance has kept Australia in the hunt at the Gabba. His next move, however, could spell the end for a hometown hero.

Inglis, called into the side to replace injured veteran Usman Khawaja, proved to be the catalyst of an England collapse, just as they appeared destined to work their way towards a formidable first innings total.

Joe Root, who finished the day unbeaten on 135, and Ben Stokes looked settled and composed at the crease – banishing the extravagant drives on the up, which cruelled the old enemy in their first Test demise in Perth.

A mix-up on an attempted quick single, however, gave Inglis a window to make an impact. His direct hit at the stumps ran Stokes out (19), and triggered a collapse of 5-54.

Scott Boland knocked over Jamie Smith two balls later, before Mitchell Starc picked up the scalps of Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.

Given the frantic counterattacking final wicket stand of 61 between Root and Jofra Archer (32 not out), which took England to 9-325 at stumps, Inglis’ heroics may have just prevented Australia from facing too steep a chase in Brisbane.

“I certainly don’t move that quickly. It’s one of those ones where a bit of brilliance in the field can change a little bit of momentum,” Starc said, whose figures of 6/71 took him passed Wasim Akram as the most prolific left-arm wicket-taker in Test history.

“They were putting a bit of a partnership together there. It was a bit like a couple of Ashes ago when Nathan Lyon ran out James Vince here at the Gabba, and it changed the momentum that day. That one today was probably a better run out, but don’t tell Nathan that.”

While Inglis’ strike could prove a game-changing moment, it will be how he fares with the bat that could put the final nail in Khawaja’s Test career.

Khawaja’s place on the Australian Test side was thrown into disarray when back spasms prevented him from opening the batting in the first Test.

Could a back injury, and a big day two from Australia’s batsmen in Brisbane, end Usman Khawaja’s Test career?

Khawaja’s absence caused first Test centurion Travis Head to move to the top of the order as he did in the fourth innings in Perth, alongside Jake Weatherald, and Inglis to come in at No.5.

The trio is known for their aggression and thrive against fast bowling, with Head in particular capable of sending a contest from a battle to a cakewalk in a session.

Inglis is also coming off a ton for Australia A against the England Lions, and at 30 still has time to become a long-term presence.

Khawaja, conversely, has lacked the same fluidity at the crease as he did upon his 2022 recall, from which he scored 2290 runs at 58.72 in a two-year period before David Warner’s retirement.

As he approaches the age of 39, he has shown susceptibility when up against the fast men.

While Australia’s chief selector George Bailey would not reveal whether a line had been drawn through Khawaja’s name before he had been ruled out, it appears unlikely they would deviate again should Head, Weatherald and Inglis produce some success.

And they may benefit from a day two pitch at its best for batting.

England opener Zak Crawley, who hit a fluent 76, admitted to being frustrated by his dismal.

He said it was less the manner of his exit that caused him angst, but more because he felt at ease with how the pitch had played.

“It definitely got easier as the game went on – I’m not sure if that was to do with the ball or just picking up the rhythm of the pitch, but after about 10 or 15 overs it definitely seemed to do a lot less,” he said.