Josh Inglis confident he could fill Test role but won’t be getting ahead of himself

Josh Inglis says he is confident he can thrive at Test level if called upon, but is focused on making as many runs as he can as he eyes continuing a strong start to the season.

A push for Inglis to charge into Australia’s team for a five-match series against India grew legs after he scored two centuries and was named player-of-the-match in back-to-back matches for Western Australia.

That push was led by New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd, who threw Inglis’ name into the mix after the second round of the Sheffield Shield.

Speaking ahead of another chance to grab selectors’ attention in Australia’s opening one-day international clash with Pakistan at the MCG, Inglis backed himself to produce if picked for a Test debut.

“I’ll always back myself and say yes, but that decision is out of my hands. All I can do is make runs and put performances on the board and we’ll see where that goes,” Inglis said on Fox.

“I think I play my best cricket when I’m looking to score and put the bowlers under pressure and I’ve really enjoyed the start of the year.”

Shipperd said Inglis could fill Australia’s vacant spot at the top of the order, despite not having done it at the level before.

“Let’s not forget Josh Inglis as well, who I think is probably a smokey in terms of the opening batting spot,” the coaching veteran said last month.

“I’d have Inglis and (Sam) Konstas in the conversation as one-two, two-one, and let the Australian selectors mull over those two.

“His performances for Australia have been first-class and I think they’re looking for a style of player at the top of the order and Inglis may fit that brief.”

Shipperd also described Inglis as a “right-handed version of David Warner”, who is the man selectors are now trying to replace.

Upon returning from Australia’s white-ball tour of the UK, Inglis cracked a century against Queensland in his first red-ball innings this season before following it up with another century less than two weeks later against Tasmania.

“It’s been a really nice (start to the summer),” Inglis said.

“Since the UK we’ve had two shield games and two ODIs both at home so it was nice to get back into my own bed spend some time with family and hit the ball nicely, hopefully, it continues.”

Going back to last season, Inglis, has three centuries in his last six Shield matches at an average of more than 60.

While Alex Carey will remain Australia’s Test keeper for the near future Inglis’ form is hard to ignore with some believing he could play solely as a batter particularly if someone from the middle order is moved up to open.

Inglis is slated to bat at four in the ODI clash against Pakistan, but was made to wait for his chance after Pat Cummins chose to bowl first when winning the toss.