Josh Inglis’ injury rules him out of New Year’s Eve Test in Sydney

Australia have been dealt a cruel blow in the middle of the Boxing Day Test with a star ruled out of the series with a brutal injury.

Josh Inglis’ hopes of being named in the Australian squad for the New Year’s Eve Test in Sydney went up in flames on Sunday.

The uncapped star was released from the squad for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series after sustaining a “low-grade calf strain”.

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Inglis picked up the injury while fielding on day two of the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG.

The 29-year-old is however expected to recover before Australia head to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series which gets underway in late January.

The injury leaves the Aussies without a spare batter in the squad for the fifth Test, opening the door for axed batter Nathan McSweeney to return to the squad.

Australian batsman Josh Inglis prepares to bat during a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 25, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

All-rounders Beau Webster and Sean Abbott remain in Australia’s squad ahead of the Sydney Test with both men a chance to receive their baggy green.

Both men will come into serious contention thanks to Mitch Marsh’s lacklustre form throughout the series.

Mitch Starc remains under an injury cloud after a heavy workload and pending his health could need to be replaced in the final Test of the series.

Calls grew increasingly louder on Sunday for Marsh to be axed from the Australian XI after he failed to deliver with the bat.

It could be over for Marsh. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Marsh has endured a horror series with his lowly batting form continuing in the second innings on day four at the MCG.

He has tallied only 73 runs through seven innings at an average of 10.42, with a high score of 47 that came in the first Test in Perth.

His remaining scores at the crease have returned 6, 9, 5, 2, 4 and a duck. The paltry display with the willow is being further amplified by his struggles to have an impact with the ball in hand.

After bowling 17 overs in the opening Test and claiming 3/77, Marsh has only bowled 13 overs while failing to claim a wicket.

Barring a miracle with the ball in hand, Marsh’s Test career is likely to be over following the Boxing Day Test.

Originally published as Josh Inglis’ injury rules him out of New Year’s Eve Test in Sydney