Inglis to be available for first Test against Bangladesh despite back spasm: McDonald

Brisbane, Aug 5 (IANS) Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will be available for selection for next week’s first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, confirmed head coach Andrew McDonald, despite concerns over him picking a back spasm during an intra-squad match.

Inglis experienced a flare-up in the back during Australia’s preparatory game at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane this week. But McDonald reassured that the setback remains minor and will not affect his availability for the upcoming game starting on August 13 at the Marrara Stadium.

“He’s had a back flare up. He has had these from time to time. There’ll be no issue, it’ll just be letting it settle down and then getting him back into work. We’ve got enough time. We’ll probably be conservative on that, make sure that’s right before you see him return into the nets and the preparation phase … there is no concern around whether he would be available or not,” McDonald told cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

The match simulation saw key performers get valuable game time, with Cameron Green spending significant time at the crease, while spinner Nathan Lyon continued his comeback from hamstring surgery by dismissing Travis Head.

Opening batter Jake Weatherald also hit a brisk 40 before retiring, as he signalled his intentions to partner Head at the top of the order against Bangladesh. McDonald noted that the match simulations formed the centerpiece of a month-long training block designed to get the squad ready after travelling between home bases and Brisbane.

“We’ve had two decent hit-outs, 60 overs a day; everyone’s been able to meet the demands. We’ve been able to create a connection from training, build up that intensity with the match simulation, it almost took on the shape of a fully-fledged game, which was nice.

“It’s a group that’s keen to get back into it and we’ve got a couple more days on Thursday and Friday to finish off that preparation. The guys have been doing a lot of work coming back and forth to Brisbane,” he added.

–IANS

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