Jimmy Pearson to join Australia squad after first Test as cover for Inglis

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Sydney. Cricket Australia on Friday announced that wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Pearson will join their Test squad ahead of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s next month.

Josh Inglis, the team’s backup keeper behind first-choice keeper Alex Carey, will travel for the start of the Australian team’s UK tour before returning to Perth for the birth of his first child with partner Megan.

Pearson will replace Inglis in his absence. He will join the squad after Australia face India in the World Test Championship at The Oval from June 7-11 and England in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston from June 16-20.

Although the Australian team management say Inglis will join the team later in the series, the move moves Pearson closer to Baggy Green in case the regular keeper is injured.

Pearson, who trained with the Test team in Brisbane last week, has impressed domestically and at Australia A level with his wicketkeeping, batting and leadership abilities.

The 30-year-old is regarded as one of the best pure wicket-keepers in the country while his returns with the bat have improved dramatically in recent times.

The right-handed batsman averaged less than 30 in his first 35 first-class matches, but in 30 matches since the start of the 2020–21 summer, he has averaged 42.56 from the lower middle order, including six centuries.

The second Test will be played at Lord’s from 28 June to 2 July; the third at Headingley from 6 to 10 July; The fourth Test will be played at Old Trafford from July 19 to 23 and the fifth and final Test at The Oval from July 27 to 31.

–IANS

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