Josh Inglis out of T20 World Cup for Australia after freak accident

The worst fears have been confirmed for Josh Inglis after Australia's wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the T20 World Cup as a result of a bizarre golfing accident.

Inglis's right hand was cut when the shaft of a golf club snapped in the middle of his swing, during a freak incident in Sydney on Wednesday.

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The 27-year-old was playing a par-three at the prestigious New South Wales Golf Club on Wednesday when the metal handle of his 6-iron snapped on impact and left a nasty gash in his right hand.

Inglis was taken to hospital on Wednesday, with Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirming on Thursday that he would take no part in the World Cup as a result of the mishap.

"An incredibly freak accident," McDonald said.

"As he made contact with the ground, the shaft snapped around the grip area and cut into his hand palm of his right hand...

"It's damage to the palm of the hand, which is less than ideal... so where he'd be gripping the bat and if he did have to 'keep, the ball would be impacting that area.

"He saw a hand specialist yesterday, thankfully, there's no tendon damage. That's the positive out of the negative, that there's no tendon damage, and they've been able to stitch it up and clean up the wound and let the healing begin.

"But we know that the timeframe, and how quickly these games are going to come around, that puts his part in the World Cup in jeopardy big time."

Cricket fans were quick to send messages of support for Inglis, while remarking at the "freak" and unfortunate nature of his injury news.

Bizarrely, Inglis is the second star to be ruled out of the T20 World Cup because of a freak injury, following in the footsteps of England star Jonny Bairstow.

The England batter required surgery on broken leg and dislocated ankle after slipping while walking to a tee box at an English golf course in September.

Australian hierarchy will meet to select a replacement for Inglis, with allrounder Cameron Green viewed by many as a standout candidate, following his recent successes in the shortest format.

McDonald says selectors could plump for a reserve wicketkeeper such as Alex Carey, Ben McDermott or Josh Philippe to replace Inglis, who was the spare gloveman in the 15-man squad.

Inglis was not set to play ahead of Matthew Wade in Australia's opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand, but was viewed as a handy squad player to bring in if necessary.

However, Australia's coach says selectors could opt to go without a back-up keeper, in an apparent boost for Green's chances of selection.

"We have got a bit of a problem to solve this morning around our back-up 'keeper and also a back-up batter," McDonald told SEN radio.

"We have got to work out what a squad would like going into a World Cup without a back-up 'keeper and the scenario if Matthew Wade were to get injured on the morning of a game.

"What would you do there if you didn't have a resource in the group that was a stand-out 'keeper?."

McDonald said summoning Green was "definitely a discussion point" along with wicketkeeper-batters such as Philippe, Carey and McDermott.

"There's a few people to discuss," he said.

"But we have just got to get our heads around what the scenario would like without a back-up 'keeper.

"If we feel as though there's too much risk we might head down that line of choosing one of those wicketkeepers."

with AAP

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