Josh Inglis out of final two South Africa ODIs with fractured finger, Test series in doubt

Australia's wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has been ruled out of the second and third ODIs against South Africa after fracturing his right index finger.

Inglis broke the finger while keeping wicket in the series opener in Durban, but remarkably carried on behind the stumps for the remainder of the match and even batted in the chase, scoring 3 off 8 balls from No.4. Australia went on to lose that contest by 67 runs, leaving them 0-1 down in the series.

The full extent of the injury has now taken him out of the reckoning for the ODIs in Johannesburg on September 27 and in Potchefstroom on September 30.

Race against time for the Test series

Of greater concern for Australia, Inglis will also be in a race against time to mend his finger for the highly-anticipated Test series that kicks off in Durban from October 9. He is the back-up keeper to Alex Carey in Australia's Test squad but still stands a chance of making the XI as a specialist batter if he can recover in time.

A Cricket Australia statement confirmed that Inglis will return home to Perth for medical scans, with his availability for the Test series subject to "further assessment and progress."

Australia have not named a replacement for Inglis for the remaining two ODIs, but they might have to consider their options for the Test series should he not recover in time.

Down 0-1 after the 67-run defeat in the Durban opener, Australia have all to play for in the remaining two fixtures of the series.