Perfect Inglis audition adds to World Cup squeeze

Australia's scorching-hot form has created exactly the kind of problem selectors want heading towards their T20 World Cup defence later this year.

Having won 10 of their past 11 T20s, Australia's middle-order dominance is such that Steve Smith has a fight on his hands to get back into the line-up after being taken from the field in the second T20 against Sri Lanka with a concussion.

The rapid rise of Josh Inglis, whose quickfire 40 in Australia's six-wicket win on Friday night sees him top the side's run-scoring for the series at a strike rate of 150, has added to the selection squeeze.

With Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade and Daniel Sams also strong options in the middle-order, and with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh waiting for a return having been rested for this series, Stoinis said the team was looking as strong as it has for some time.

"Even seeing guys like Dan Sams come in … Wadey and I are talking about having Samsy there and you push guys a little bit up the order," he said.

"There's multiple options, lots of people that we all feel within our group are ready to go and ready to fire at international level, and I think that's a change for us.

"Leading into the World Cup (last year) we probably weren't playing our best cricket … (now) we are looking around the change rooms and we've got confidence in every single person."

In addition to the XI that won Australia the World Cup last November, Inglis, Sams and spin-bowling allrounder Ashton Agar are providing selection cases that are difficult to ignore.

But Stoinis was quick to point out the immense importance of Smith, who offers a point of difference to a powerful batting line-up.

"It gives people confidence, we've got arguably the best player of our generation there to mop things up with the bat if things don't go to plan," he said.

"(If) you do lose a couple of wickets in the Powerplay, he slides in and you don't expose someone like myself or (Maxwell) who are there to play a different type of role.

"(And) he made a couple of 100s off 60 balls in one-day cricket in the last two years ... we still don't forget how quickly he can score."

Inglis has looked at ease since debuting at the start of five-match series and Friday's six-wicket win was no exception.

Chasing Sri Lanka's mediocre total of 8-139, Inglis and Maxwell (48no) put on a match-winning 71-run stand for the fourth wicket after Australia's top three failed to fire.

A recognised wicketkeeper, Inglis has come into Australia's team as a batter only with veteran Wade hanging onto the gloves.

But his blazing knock of 40 from just 20 balls at No.5, adding to the 26-year-old's other scores of 23, 48 and 21 in this series, will give selectors plenty to ponder.

"He's a sponge for information, takes everything on board from the conditions and tries to adapt to it," Maxwell said of Inglis.

"In Australia, it's probably a little bit easier to play spin but his footwork patterns are really crisp, uses his feet well, sweeps both sides so makes it a handful to set a field against.

"He's able to access different parts of the ground to put pressure on opposition, which is a massive key to facing spin in any part of the world."

Dettol T20 Series v Sri Lanka 2022

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando

Game 1: Australia won by 20 runs (DLS)

Game 2: Australia won in a Super Over

Game 3: Australia won by six wickets

Game 4: Australia won by six wickets

February 20: Fifth T20, MCG, 5.10pm AEDT

All matches broadcast exclusively on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports. Radio coverage by ABC Grandstand, Triple M and SEN