Josh Inglis is locked in for a return to the Australian Test team, with the WA gun set to replace Usman Khawaja when the battle for The Ashes resumes on Thursday.

Inglis is likely to bat at No.5 or No.6 - alongside fellow West Aussie Cam Green - as Travis Head gets set to reprise his role as an opener following his second-inning heroics at Optus Stadium last month.

Acting Australian skipper Steve Smith is expected to confirm Inglis’ inclusion at a press conference later on Wednesday morning (WA time), with the composition of the side’s bowling attack also potentially revealed.

Khawaja was on Tuesday ruled out of the Gabba Test due to his back injury, with Cricket Australia saying he would “remain with the team to continue his rehabilitation”.

Inglis made an immediate impression on the Test scene with a century in his debut innings in January against Sri Lanka in Galle.

It marked the first ton on debut for an Aussie since fellow WA-based batter Adam Voges in 2015.

Inglis has featured in two further Tests since then, with his most recent the opening match of the West Indies tour in June.

This week’s clash will mark the first Test on Australian soil for Inglis, with the scene set for a confrontation against his country of birth. Inglis and his family moved to Australia when he was 14.

More to come