A day after suffering their first Test defeat against England at home since January 2011, Australia have released a couple of players from their squad. The two players that were released from Australia’s
squad on Sunday (December 28) are all-rounder Beau Webster and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. The two will play for Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers, respectively, in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) this week and then join the squad ahead of the fifth Test against the English team in Sydney.
The fifth and final Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series will be played from January 4 to 8, 2026, at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Webster, who impressed with his all-round show in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, hasn’t featured in any of the four Tests played so far, whereas Inglis played in the second and third matches but failed to do much with the bat.
There are not very high chances of Inglis getting a chance to play in Sydney, but 32-year-old Webster could replace Cameron Green in the playing XI. Green has failed to do justice with his talent in the ongoing high-profile series. In six innings of four matches, he has only managed to score 112 runs and dismiss three batters.
Webster made his Test debut for the Baggy Greens in Sydney on January 3, 2025, and played a knock of 57 runs as a No. 6 batter in the first innings.
He picked up Shubman Gill’s wicket in India’s second innings and then remained unbeaten on 39 runs from 34 balls in the 162-run chase.
Webster played both the Tests for Australia in Sri Lanka and also featured in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 to 14, in addition to playing three Tests in the West Indies, but has warmed the bench so far in the Ashes.
According to Cricket.com.au, Webster will be available to play for the defending champions in their BBL match against the Melbourne Renegades on Monday (December 29), whereas Inglis is expected to line up for the Perth Scorchers in their match against Sydney Thunder at ENGIE Stadium on Tuesday (December 30).
