Josh Inglis: Australia’s Rising Cricket Star and Record-Breaking Wicket-Keeper

Introduction

Joshua Patrick Inglis (Full Name), born on March 4, 1995, is an Australian cricketer known for his explosive batting and wicket-keeping skills. He represents the Australian national team across all three formats and has also captained Australia in ODIs and T20Is. Playing domestic cricket for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers, Inglis has become a key player in Australian cricket.

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He was a member of the Australian squad that won the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and also played a crucial role in various international tournaments, including the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final.

Early Life and Background

Josh Inglis was born in Leeds, England, and moved to Australia at the age of 14 with his family. His cricketing journey started in England, but after relocating to Australia, he rapidly developed into one of the country’s most promising wicket-keeper batters.

Domestic and Franchise Cricket Career

Early Domestic Career

Inglis made his first-class debut in December 2015 for the Cricket Australia XI against the touring West Indies. His List A debut came in January 2017 against the Pakistanis, again playing for the Cricket Australia XI.

His T20 debut for the Perth Scorchers in the 2017–18 Big Bash League (BBL) season on December 23, 2017, marked the beginning of his professional T20 career. Inglis quickly established himself as a dependable batter and wicketkeeper in the BBL, excelling for the Perth Scorchers.

Breakthrough in Domestic Cricket

One of his most significant moments came in October 2020, during the Sheffield Shield, when he scored his maiden first-class century—a brilliant 153 not out against South Australia.

In March 2021, he was signed by Leicestershire County Cricket Club to play in the 2021 T20 Blast tournament in England. He impressed with his aggressive batting style, scoring his first T20 century with 103 not out for Leicestershire in June 2021. Later that month, he smashed his second T20 century, scoring 118 not out off 61 balls against Worcestershire.

International Career

T20I and ODI Debut

In August 2021, Inglis received his first national team call-up when he was named in Australia’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Though he did not play in the tournament, he gained invaluable experience with the squad.

His official T20I debut came on February 11, 2022, against Sri Lanka, and later that month, he was included in Australia’s ODI squad for their tour of Pakistan. He made his ODI debut on June 24, 2022, against Sri Lanka.

World Cup Success and Record-Breaking Performances

Inglis was part of Australia’s squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. One of his standout performances came against Sri Lanka, where he scored 58 runs off 59 balls, helping Australia chase down a target of 210.

Later in November 2023, he made history by scoring his maiden T20I century in the first T20I against India in Visakhapatnam. This cemented his reputation as a dangerous batter in white-ball cricket.

In May 2024, Inglis was named in Australia’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His performances continued to shine, and in July 2024, he was selected in Australia’s white-ball squad for the tour of Scotland and England.

One of his most remarkable achievements came on September 6, 2024, when he scored his second T20I century in the 2nd T20I against Scotland. He reached his 100 in just 43 balls, setting a record as the fastest T20I century ever hit by an Australian batter.

Captaincy and Leadership

Inglis proved his leadership abilities when he captained Australia for the first time in an ODI against Pakistan on November 10, 2024. Filling in for Pat Cummins, he led the team with confidence, showing his potential as a future full-time captain.

Test Cricket: A Dream Realized

Despite his success in ODIs and T20Is, Inglis had to wait for his Test debut. However, in January 2025, during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, he finally received his Baggy Green cap from Geoff Marsh, becoming the 470th cricketer to represent Australia in Test cricket.

Making his Test debut as a middle-order batter, Inglis marked the occasion with a spectacular century on debut, proving his ability to perform in the longest format of the game as well.

Conclusion

Josh Inglis has emerged as a vital player for Australian cricket across all three formats. His ability to adapt to different conditions, combined with his explosive batting and reliable wicket-keeping skills, makes him an invaluable asset for the national team.

From breaking records in T20 cricket to scoring a century on his Test debut, Inglis continues to grow as one of Australia’s most exciting cricketers. With his leadership experience and consistent performances, he is set to play a crucial role in Australia’s cricketing future.