After Travis Head, Josh Inglis smashes 107-ball 125 in another Perth run chase as Cricket Australia XI outclass England Lions with 8-wicket win

England players’ arrival in Perth hasn’t been fruitful. Not even 48 hours had passed by after Travis Head’s brutal assault of 83-ball 123 in 205-run chase on Day 2 of Ashes 2025 opener, before Josh Inglis wreaked havoc in Perth’s Lilac Hill in a similar fashion. Opening the innings in run chase of 232 for Cricket Australia XI against England Lions, Inglis smashed an unbeaten 107-ball 125 to help the hosts register a comfortable eight-wicket win.

Inglis was part of Australia’s squad for the Perth Test but he was released to play against England Lions. While Australia are still unsure about their opening combination for the pink-ball Test, especially after Head’s assault and Usman Khawaja’s participation being uncertain due to back spasms, Inglis has made his case.

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Inglis makes run chase easy

In the run chase of 232, Cricket Australia XI skipper Mackenzie Harvey and Inglis shared a 129-run partnership from 25 overs. Harvey scored 58 runs from 92 balls, including 10 fours. Nivethan Radhakrishnan could not do much and was dismissed for a 42-ball 19 by left-arm spinner Tom Hartley. The England Lions' bowling attack featured the likes of Matthew Potts, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks. Inglis continued to torment English bowlers. He hit 15 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 107-ball 125. Cricket Australia XI chased down 232 from 45 overs on Day 4 of the match.

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No Bethell show in Perth

In the previous innings, Inglis had scored 40 runs from 37 balls. England Lions were bowled out for 299 and 273. In the second innings, Jacob Bethell walked out to bat and scored 44 runs from 85 deliveries.

How Inglis can fit-in for pink-ball Test?

For the pink-ball Test at The Gabba, Inglis can bat in the middle order if Head gets the promotion based on his sensational knock in Perth. If Khawaja doesn’t recover, Australia may not tinker with the second innings opening combination of Ashes 2025-26 opener. Also, Inglis can bat either no.5 or no.6. In pink-ball Tests, the ball moves around in the second session. Inglis’ recent experience as opener can come in handy as well.

On his Test debut in Sri Lanka, Inglis scored a century batting at no.5 when Head was promoted as opener despite having Sam Konstas in the squad. He can play a similar role against the Ben Stokes-led side.