Queensland Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson inches closer to Test debut with Bulls captain named to join Australia's Ashes squad

Inglis returning home for birth of first child Creates an opportunity for QLD skipperWill link with squad during second Test 

Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson is one step closer to making his Test cricket debut after he was called up to Australia’s Ashes squad as a replacement for Josh Inglis, who is returning home from England for the birth of his first child.

Peirson, who has previously trained with the Australian squad and participated in a Brisbane mini-camp last week, will join the team in London for the second Test at Lord’s.

This puts him next in line to take over from Alex Carey if the first-choice keeper suffers any injuries. Inglis is expected to rejoin the squad at a later date.

The 30-year-old’s call-up is a testament to his consistent performance over three Sheffield Shield seasons, during which he has scored 1,337 runs at an average of 37.13, including five centuries.

He has also represented Australia A on two tours, making an unbeaten century in Sri Lanka last year.

Queensland captain Jimmy Peirson has been rewarded for good form with a call-up to the Ashes squad in England

Pierson is replacing Josh Inglis who is returning to Australia for the birth of his first child with partner Megan

Pierson hopes to emulate his Queensland teammate Marnus Labuschagne by forcing his way into the Australian side

With 65 first-class games under his belt for Queensland, Peirson recently took part in the Australia A tour of New Zealand.

Over eight years of first-class cricket, he has maintained an average of 34.75 and served as the Queensland state captain.

Although Peirson would need an injury to Carey to secure a Test spot, he remains determined to push his case.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo last year, he expressed his desire to play Test cricket for Australia and improve his game by experiencing English conditions once again.

‘Obviously there’s an away Ashes next summer. I’d love to get over and play some sort of cricket in England,’ he said.

‘I’ve played premier league cricket quite a few years ago now but would love to experience those conditions again and develop my game.

‘If I don’t play Test cricket that would be a frustration, but all I can do is when I’m done, sit in my armchair and know that I did everything I could.’

In a 2021 interview with cricket.com.au, Peirson cited Marnus Labuschagne as an example of the hard work required to represent Australia, saying, ‘if you want to play cricket for Australia, you need to be doing something that people aren’t doing.’

Meanwhile, Australia is set to name their 15-man squad for the World Test Championship final against India by Sunday, with seamer Josh Hazlewood’s fitness still uncertain.

Australian players not already overseas will depart for England on Friday, preparing for next week’s World Test Championship final and the subsequent five-Test Ashes series.