Wed Jan 29 05:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Aussie Cricketer Inglis Earns Baggy Green in Galle Test Debut

**Galle, Sri Lanka** – Yorkshire-born, Western Australia-raised Josh Inglis has realised his Test cricket dream, receiving his Baggy Green cap (No. 470) as Australia began their two-match series against Sri Lanka in Galle. The wicketkeeper-batsman, making his debut as a specialist batter, was presented with the cap by former Test opener Geoff Marsh.

Australia, winning the toss and electing to bat, unveiled a revamped batting order designed to combat the expected spin-friendly pitch. Inglis will bat at number five, with Alex Carey (wicketkeeper) at six. The opening partnership sees Travis Head elevated to open alongside Usman Khawaja, a significant change from the team that played India recently. Teenage talent Sam Konstas has been omitted from the squad.

Captain Steve Smith explained the team changes are in response to the different playing conditions in Sri Lanka. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt, highlighting the inclusion of spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann, and seam-bowling all-rounder Beau Webster, who will offer support to Mitchell Starc. The decision to omit Scott Boland, despite his recent success, was attributed to the emphasis on spin bowling for this series. Regular captain Pat Cummins is absent due to the impending birth of his second child and ankle soreness.

Inglis, who migrated to Australia in 2020, becomes the twelfth Australian Test player born in the UK and the first since Matthew Renshaw in 2016. His parents witnessed the emotional cap presentation, while his partner watched from afar. Smith praised Inglis’s skill against spin and his all-around batting ability.

Meanwhile, Smith himself needs just one run to reach the 10,000-Test runs milestone, a feat he hopes to achieve in Galle. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are without opener Pathum Nissanka due to injury, replaced by Oshada Fernando. They have also opted for a three-spinner attack. The two-Test series is for the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy.

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