IND vs AUS: Australia Suffer Blow Ahead of Sydney Test, Lose Wicketkeeper-Batter Josh Inglis Through Injury

Australia dealt a blow ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the hosts' batting depth took a hit as back-up wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will miss the match due to injury, according to ICC.

With the fourth Test in Melbourne evenly poised heading into the fifth day, Australia revealed that Inglis, who injured his calf when fielding as a substitute on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, will be unavailable for the final Test of the series, scheduled to start on January 3.

Australia will name a replacement for Inglis prior to the fifth Test, while the hosts are confident the wicketkeeper-batter will be available for next month's tour of Sri Lanka that includes two Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship series.

"Josh Inglis sustained a low-grade calf strain while fielding on day two of the fourth Test match against India and will leave the squad to undergo rehabilitation. A replacement in the squad for the fifth Test match in Sydney will be announced in due course. Inglis is anticipated to be available for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka which follows the home Test Series," Cricket Australia's statement was quoted by ICC as saying.

Good form at the domestic level had seen Inglis' Test stocks rise and the right-hander was in contention for his first cap in Melbourne before star batter Travis Head proved his fitness for the match.

The 29-year-old, who is yet to make his Test debut, could have been preferred as a specialist batter, replacing the struggling Mitchell Marsh. The home side may now look at a like-for-like change in the Sydney Test with all-rounder Beau Webster the likely choice should they drop Marsh.

Currently, the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is level at 1-1, as both sides competing in the Boxing Day Test will aim to claim an all-important series lead to get an advantage in the race for the ICC World Test Championship final.