In the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, Josh Inglis should have the opportunity to open alongside Usman Khawaja if Australia continues their habit of placing their top six batsmen in the top six, according to the great Adam Gilchrist. This strategy has been used by the Australians since David Warner departed from the game’s longest version earlier this year. Instead of adding a specialised opener, they moved Steve Smith to the top of the order, which made room for the gifted Cameron Green to start at number four.
Following Cricket Australia’s announcement that Nathan McSweeney and Khawaja will open the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth beginning on November 22, Gilchrist made his remarks. In the second tour match between India A and Australia A, the right-handed batter opened for the first time in his first-class career. He will soon become Australia’s 467th Test cricketer. Inglis, meanwhile, has been selected as an Australian reserve batter following his incredible start to the Sheffield Shield season, scoring 297 runs at an average of 99 in two games.
“Inglis is a reserve batter on that team, which isn’t what Australia usually does at home. McSweeney will probably open, but will they continue with the strategy they used the previous year, which called for the top six to include Australia’s top six hitters? Gilchrist left a remark on Fox Cricket.
Probably his best defence is offence: Josh Inglis on Adam Gilchrist
As Australia attempts to recapture the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after eight years, Gilchrist acknowledged that McSweeney’s defensive style makes him a good choice to start the innings, but he also thinks Inglis’ attacking ability may be a huge asset.
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“Nathan McSweeney is a very attractive athlete. While Josh Inglis is skilled at attacking, they observe that his style of play is slightly better suited for starting the batting. His best line of defence is probably offence,” he said.